Maersk Training is about to launch two new offshore emergency courses, the OPITO Helideck Emergency Response Team Member Training and the OPITO 6 Day Combined Helideck and Team Member Training.
These two OPITO Accredited courses will kick start this month at the company’s training centre in the North-East of Scotland and be delivered using a newly built Helicopter simulator and helideck.
Following a significant financial investment last year, Maersk Training in Aberdeen has built a brand new Helicopter Simulator and Helideck fire ground to support its two new courses. The dual helicopter simulator system can simulate two different types of aircraft, a Sikorsky S92 and a Eurocopter 225. The aircraft can simulate engine and rotor head fires along with sponson, pressure fuel and running fuel fires. The fixture has the ability to change the inner configuration due to a unique construction system. The 144m2 Helideck contains two purpose built heliwells (3×2 meters) fitted with monitors and hydrant heads which have the ability to cross ark, providing complete deck coverage of aqueous film forming foam.
Stuart Cameron, Managing Director commented: “By adding the HERTM to the company’s course list, Maersk Training is one step closer to being a one stop shop for all offshore wind and Oil & Gas training needs. The simulators will enable us to offer a better offshore emergency response learning experience which is not only realistic but also unique.”
The OPITO Helideck Emergency Response Team Member (HERTM) course is taught and assessed by current, fully operational fire-fighters who have worked within the fire and rescue service for over 25 years. It is delivered across four days and it includes a combination of theoretical and practical elements which make for an accurate and realistic picture of what is expected of emergency response teams.
The OPITO HERTM course provides a solid knowledge of all procedures associated with the helideck and helicopter landing, while also giving delegates the opportunity to gain a more general understanding of emergency response procedures on an offshore installation.
Adrian Barron, Maersk Training Operations Manager and Lead Instructor for the HERTM course commented: “Throughout the course, delegates are introduced to the helideck emergency response planning, system and controls, personal protective equipment and any potential hazards during emergency response. They will be taught to efficiently extinguish any helideck associated fires, search and rescue of potential casualties and communicate effectively with the Helideck Landing Officer (HLO) and the rest of the team. However, they are also instructed on the correct procedure to be followed in case they would at any point need to assist the Offshore Emergency Response Team in the event of an incident.”
The OPITO 6 Day Combined Helideck and Team Member course enables delegates to gain the knowledge and understanding necessary for both a Helideck Assistant (HDA HERTM) and an Offshore Emergency Response Team Member (OERTM). The purpose of this course is to enable offshore workers to potentially fulfil a dual role on (an installation and helideck) as well as educate personnel regarding the difference between roles of the HDA HERTM and those of the OERTM.
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Press release, March 4, 2014; Image: Maersk Training