Course Syllabus
The course is structured around a series of modules designed to deliver both the theoretical knowledge and practical competencies required for safe helideck operations on large yachts.
All content is developed in direct alignment with Section 1 – Large Yacht Helideck Safety Training Qualification from the MCA Large Yacht Helideck Safety Training Syllabuses.
MCA - Large Yacht Safety Training Syllabuses See moreHelideck Procedure & Emergency Response
- Deck preparation & guest movement coordination
- Standard Operating Procedures for helicopter landings and departures
- Emergency evacuation protocols
- Role of the Helideck Assistant (HDA)
- Full-scale onboard drills
Helicopter Landing Officer
- Supervisory responsibilities, leadership & decision-making during flight ops
- Briefings, checklists, & helideck team coordination
- Integration with the vessel’s Safety Management System (SMS)
Helideck Fire Fighting
- Helideck-specific fire suppression systems
- High-risk scenario management
- Deck / Hangar Fire Response
- Realistic fire simulations, including crash deck and refuelling fire scenarios
Helicopter Refuelling
Optional – only if suitable installations are present
- Fuel safety standards and risk mitigation
- Grounding, bonding, and fuel quality control
- Emergency response protocols specific to refuelling operations
Pre-Requisites
The course prerequisites must be verified prior to the training date to ensure participants are adequately prepared and legally qualified to engage in practical components
⚠️ Training cannot commence without verification of eligibility.
Required for All Participants
All candidates must hold valid STCW Basic Safety Training certificates, including the following modules:
- Personal Survival Techniques - STCW Table A-VI/1-1
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting - STCW Table A-VI/1-2
- Elementary First Aid - STCW Table A-VI/1-3
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities - STCW Table A-VI/1-4
These certifications are foundational to safe maritime and emergency procedures and are internationally recognised as baseline qualifications for all seafarers.
Additional Requirement for HLO Candidates
Participants pursuing qualification as a Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) must also hold:
- Advanced Fire Fighting - STCW Table A-VI/3
This advanced module is mandatory for all HLO roles, given the elevated responsibilities in emergency response and helideck leadership.
Language Proficiency
A good working knowledge of English is required to participate effectively in both theoretical and practical sessions. All instruction, materials, and assessments are delivered in English.
Participant Fitness
Participants must be fit to participate in all aspects of the training. If there is any doubt as to an individual’s ability to participate in any practical exercises, an appropriate risk assessment will be carried out to determine what is required in order to proceed in a safe manner.
Preparing for the Course
A simple, secure registration process ensures all participants are verified, compliant, and ready to access their personalised training portal ahead of the course.
Participant Registration
To ensure a smooth and compliant start to your training, all participants must complete the mandatory pre-course registration process. This is essential for identity verification, health and safety compliance, and access to your personalised training profile.
Before training begins, each student is required to:
Complete the Registration Form
Includes personal details, emergency contact, and confirmation of course participation.
Complete a Health Declaration
A confidential medical declaration to ensure you're fit to participate in practical training components, including emergency simulations.
Submit All Required Prerequisites
This includes STCW prerequisites or any course-specific certifications needed for eligibility.
Provide Valid Photo Identification
A passport or national photo ID is required to confirm your identity and meet regulatory compliance standards on the day.
Your Personal Training Portal
Once your documents are received and verified, HeliRiviera will create a personal login for you within the Bluewater Training Database — the secure online platform used to manage training records and resources.
Through your account, you will be able to:
- Complete or update your Registration and Health Declaration Forms
- Review your course notes and supporting materials
- Access your personal profile and training history
- Download certificates and reports post-course
This system provides secure, 24/7 access to your training journey and ensures all documentation is logged and accessible for audit, compliance, or future course planning.
Course Delivery
Flexible, hands-on training delivered onboard, combining theory, practical exercises, and formal assessment for full operational readiness.
Onboard Course Delivery
All helideck training is delivered directly onboard the vessel, with our team coordinating arrival times in advance with designated vessel representatives. We deliver courses worldwide — typically while the vessel is at anchor or in port, to ensure a stable, safe, and effective learning environment.
Also available as a Shore-based course at our facilities. See moreCourse Structure and Assessment
The training includes both theoretical modules and hands-on practical exercises covering all core aspects of helideck operations and emergency preparedness. At the end of the course, participants complete a formal assessment and multiple-choice exam to validate knowledge retention and practical competency.
Course Completion
Comprehensive documentation and lasting access to course materials ensure your crew and vessel remain audit-ready, compliant, and operationally informed well beyond the training itself.
Training Outcomes & Documentation
Each accredited training package includes a suite of professional documentation and safety insights, delivered to the vessel after the course.
Post-Training Report
A final document summarising the course delivery, participant performance, and overall outcomes — providing a clear record of training success for compliance and internal tracking.
Facilities & Equipment Report
A detailed post-training report evaluating helideck facilities, fire suppression systems, safety equipment, and general readiness.
Helicopter Operations Manual Review
If a manual is already in place, we will conduct a thorough review and provide customised updates, tailored specifically to the vessel’s operations and layout.
All reports and documentation are securely issued directly to the vessel, and can be integrated into safety management systems or used to support audit trails and operational checklists.
Participant Course Materials
All participants retain ongoing access to their student profiles via the Bluewater training platform. This ensures that course materials, training records, and certification details remain available for future reference, review, or audit. Students can revisit key learning content at any time, supporting continued professional development and operational readiness long after the course is completed.
Participant Certification
You’ll receive your official certificate — digitally and in print — recognising your successful completion of the course.
Following the successful completion of the helideck operations training, each participant will be awarded a HeliRiviera Certificate of Completion, formally accredited by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). This certificate serves as official recognition of the crew member’s competence in helideck safety, emergency response, and operational best practices.
Certification Validity
The HeliRiviera certificate is valid for a period of two (2) years from the date of issue. This duration is in alignment with industry best practices and regulatory expectations, ensuring that knowledge and skills remain current in a high-risk, safety-critical environment.
Delivery Format
To ensure flexibility and accessibility, certificates are delivered in two formats:
- Electronic Copy: A digital certificate is sent directly to each participant’s registered email address for immediate access and record-keeping.
- Physical Copy: A printed, signed certificate is dispatched to a vessel-appointed location — whether docked, at port, or designated shoreside office — for inclusion in onboard training records or personnel files.
Feedback
We’ll invite you to share feedback on your experience. Your insights help us continuously improve and ensure high-quality training for all learners.
To continuously improve the quality and relevance of our training, we invite all participants and vessel representatives to complete a short feedback survey. This allows us to gather insights on the training experience, instructor delivery, course content, and any opportunities for enhancement.
Your feedback is invaluable — it helps us:
- Maintain high training standards across our global operations
- Ensure course content remains aligned with evolving industry regulations
- Tailor future training to your vessel’s unique operational profile
We also encourage open dialogue at the end of each course, giving crew the opportunity to ask follow-up questions, clarify concepts, and reflect on real-world application of the skills learned.
