Maritime Safety Authority

The Authority on Helideck Safety

The independent reference for safe helicopter operations on superyachts, offshore platforms, and maritime vessels worldwide.

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What We Do

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Standards & Compliance

We consolidate and interpret the regulatory framework governing helideck design, construction, and operation — from CAP 437 to MCA requirements — making compliance clear and accessible for industry professionals.

Certification Guidance

From Helicopter Landing Area Certificates (HLAC) to annual inspection readiness, we provide the definitive resource for understanding what certification requires and how to achieve it.

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Training & Best Practice

We promote and support the training of Helicopter Landing Officers (HLOs), Helideck Assistants (HDAs), and yacht crew through guidance aligned with MCA-approved safety syllabi.

Why Helideck Safety Matters

Every year, superyachts and offshore vessels conduct thousands of helicopter operations in some of the world's most challenging environments. The margin for error is zero. Helideck safety encompasses structural integrity, firefighting readiness, crew competence, obstacle clearance, lighting, netting, and operational procedures — all of which must meet or exceed international standards.

HelideckSafety.com exists to be the single, trusted source that brings all of this together for the professionals who need it.

Key Regulations at a Glance

International Standards

ICAO Annex 14, Volume II

The international baseline for heliport design and operations

CAP 437

UK CAA Standards for Offshore Helicopter Landing Areas (the global industry benchmark)

SOLAS Chapter II-2, Reg. 18, Part G

Fire safety requirements for helicopter facilities on passenger vessels

Flag State Codes

Red Ensign Group Yacht Code (REG YC) / MCA LY3

Cayman Islands and Red Ensign Group requirements (HLAC every 12 months)

Marshall Islands Yacht Code (MI-103)

RMI helideck requirements (HLAC every 24 months via authorized AIBs)

Malta Commercial Yacht Code (CYC)

Malta flag state helideck certification requirements

Classification Society Rules

ABS

HELIDK / HELIDK(SRF) class notations

Bureau Veritas (BV)

NR500 yacht classification rules

Lloyd's Register (LR)

Yacht and offshore helideck classification

RINA

Leading Mediterranean yacht classification society

Industry Guidance

IOGP Recommended Practices

Operational guidance from decades of offshore helicopter operations

Who We Serve

Superyacht Captains & Deck Officers Offshore Installation Managers Helicopter Landing Officers (HLOs) Helideck Assistants (HDAs) Yacht Owners & Managers Naval Architects Class Surveyors Flag State Inspectors Equipment Manufacturers Insurance Underwriters

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