The Seamanship Examiner: For STCW Certification Examinations
With hundreds of questions and answers, this book is a trusted study aid for all international STCW Deck Officer candidates.
TABLE OF CONTENTS The Seamanship Examiner: For STCW Certification Examinations
Appendix C: Search and Rescue Helicopter Hi-Line Technique
OVERVIEW
Extracts from MGN 161(M + F)
Notice to Owners and Masters of Merchant Vessels, Owners and Skippers of Fishing Vessels and Masters of Yachts and all other Sea-going Vessels
This notice draws attention to mariners of a technique employed by search and rescue helicopter crews to recover a casualty from a vessel under certain conditions.
HI-LINE TECHNIQUE
In certain weather conditions it may not be possible to winch the helicopter winchman or the strop (rescue harness) from a position directly above a vessel to the vessel's deck. Under such circumstances a weighted rope extension to the winch wire may be lowered to the vessel. This extension is known as a Hi-Line Heaving-in Line and is connected via a weak link to the aircraft's winch hook.
When the Hi-Line Technique is used, once the weighted line is placed on the deck, one crew member must handle the line. He should take up the slack on the Hi-Line and haul in ONLY when instructed to do so by the helicopter crew by radio message or hand signal. The Hi-Line must NOT be secured to any part of the vessel. A second crew member should coil the slack line into a bucket or similar container clear of obstructions. It is advisable for the handling crew to wear protective gloves to prevent rope burns. If the helicopter has to break away during the operation the line must be paid out or, if necessary, released completely ensuring that the line passes clear...
Copyright David House, Farhan Saeed 2005 under license agreement with Books24x7
