SAR 1 Ditched Helicopter Rescue SOPs

Most helicopters have two engines, mounted in parallel and both driving the main rotor and the smaller,

vertical tail rotor. Helicopters can fly on one engine,

except for the first 10-15 seconds when the full thrust

of both engines is needed for take-off and to gain

enough altitude to operate safely. In the event a

helicopter loses power on one engine during take-off or

needs to land on water for any other reason, the pilot

can deploy inflatable flotation bags around the cabin

that will maintain the helicopter afloat and upright.

Roll-over danger

Helicopters are top-heavy due to location the engines

and gearbox above the passenger cabin. This means the

helicopter might roll over in case of excessive wave

action. Rescue crews must ensure all vessels in the

proximity create NO WAKE. Warn vessels of

opportunity to slow down.

Puncture danger

The inflatable bags are fragile and could be punctured

by sharp or hot objects (e.g. exhausts) on vessels

rendering assistance. If one bag deflates the helicopter

will likely roll over.

Rotor danger

Never approach a helicopter if the blades are still

turning. The pilot might attempt to “crab” the floating

helicopter to shore by using the remaining engine and

tilting the blades. Stay well away until the blades are

completely stopped. Once stationary the blades hang quite low, and crew should take care to

manoeuver around the blades to avoid vessel antennas and other superstructure items hitting the

blades. Note undamaged rotor blades can be turned by hand if the engines are switched off.

Ditched Helicopter Rescue SOPs

2

Fire danger

If an engine catches fire or smoke comes out of the

engine air intakes or exhausts, use a fire extinguisher and

direct the jet into the intake marked accordingly. Do not

open the engine covers.

Life vests and life rafts

In BC helicopters carry life vests for every passenger and

crew member, but typically do not carry life rafts. The life

vests are generally located under the seats, and

passengers should be directed to don their life vests

before leaving the cabin. If the helicopter crew has

deployed a life raft, beware of any painters or drogues in

the water when approaching.

Extinguisher Here

Ditched Helicopter Rescue SOPs

3

Approaching the helicopter

Slow down, avoid any wake. Wait for the blades to stop

rotating. Watch for people, painters or drogues in the

water. Ideally, approach the helicopter with a RHIB or

similarly “soft” vessel, perpendicular to the helicopter in

between the flotation bags. Beware of the rotor blades

as they may hit the rescue vessel superstructure.

Manually turn the blades out of the way if necessary.

If a life raft has been deployed, use it as a buffer between

the helicopter and the rescue vessel.

Remember the helicopter might roll over at any moment.

Be prepared to pull back at all times.

Opening doors

When the flotation bags are inflated it might be impossible to open the cabin doors. In this case either

jettison the door by removing the hinges, or remove the door window:

- If the doors are hinged: ask a helicopter crew

member or a passenger to remove the door

hinges. A handle behind a clearly marked panel

on the inside of the door must be turned or

pulled to remove the hinges. If the crew and

passengers are unresponsive, smash the door’s

window to access the hinge control. Helicopter

windows can easily be smashed with a boot or

axe.

Ditched Helicopter Rescue SOPs

4

- For sliding doors: try to open the door by following the instructions on the outside of the door.

First unlock the small handle, then turn the large handle. Sliding doors typically pull outwards

first, then slide aft.

It is likely the door will not slide open when the

flotation bags are inflated. Break or remove the

door window and extract passengers through

the window.

Recovering passengers

It is likely some passengers will have left the helicopter by the time rescue vessels arrive on scene.

Follow standard procedures to recover people from the water, from life rafts or from the helicopter.

Make sure you keep a count of all people recovered, and check with them if they were indeed on the

helicopter. Check with any vessels of opportunity if further people were recovered.

Ditched Helicopter Rescue SOPs

5

Stopping the engines

If the engines are still running they can be stopped by

pulling the two large handles in the centre of the roof of

the cockpit all the way back.

Towing a helicopter

Helicopters typically do not have strong towing hooks on the outside of the cabin. The easiest is to

jettison both front doors and to run a sling through the cockpit. Alternately, attach the tow line around

the helicopter tail and tow it backwards. Beware the helicopter is top heavy and therefore not very

stable on the water. Tow slowly and be prepared to cut the tow line at any time. Never tow a helicopter

with persons on board – evacuate all occupants before starting the tow procedure.

Version 1.1 – March 2014