The standard manner by which people are transported to and from offshore installations is by helicopter. Besides the regular offshore crew who work typically according to a 14 day on/14 day off regime there are many other specialists who have to work offshore. The maximum time of 14 days on board also applies to them. The Dutch offshore sector has standardised on the use of helicopters that can carry 10 to 12 passengers.
Den Helder Airport
Helicopters leave for the North Sea from the airport in Den Helder, which is specially fitted out to handle offshore personnel, for instance with long term parking for regular crew and survival suits for all passengers.
Vantage POB
Passengers who leave from Den Helder Airport have to be registered in the so-called Vantage POB-system ( ‘person on board’). This is a secure system of registration used by the oil and gas companies to e.g. record and check relevant security information (training, medical certification, travel history etc) of their offshore staff. If certain necessary passenger information is not present in the Vantage POB system such as correct medical certification or the fact they have not yet followed the course ‘survival at sea’ then the passenger is not allowed to check in. All passengers are made aware of these constraints long before any helicopter journey.
Flight Safety
To ensure the highest levels of safety for helicopters over the North Sea the industry constantly ensures optimal cooperation with Amsterdam Air Traffic Control (LVNL). Special transmitters fitted on a number of offshore installations now makes radio communication possible from the helicopters on the helidecks with LVNL. Surveillance coverage is currently being developed. The system is planned to be operational by mid- 2010. The Dutch air traffic controllers will then be able to see exactly where helicopters on the Dutch continental shelf are. The last step will see LVNL mid-2011 initiating air traffic advisory service.
KNMI
In cooperation with the Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI) automatic weather stations have been installed on around 10 offshore installations to provide up-to-date weather information to helicopter pilots for the different areas on the Dutch continental shelf.
All these measures provide a very high standard of safety to helicopter passengers and crews.