Guidance

MIN 681 (M) Amendment 1: Helicopter aviation inspection bodies

Published 25 March 2024

Summary

This MIN provides the criteria to be met for consideration to be an Aviation Inspection Body (AIB) to be accepted by the MCA for the purpose of the inspection of helicopter landing areas to issue Helicopter Landing Area Certificates (HLACs).

1. Introduction/background

1.1 Vessels seeking compliance with section 25.1 (part A) and 15.1 (part B) of REG Yacht Code require a Helicopter Landing Area Certificate (HLAC) or Helicopter Landing Area Technical Certificate to be issued by one of the Aviation Inspection Bodies (AIBs) recognised by the flag Administration.

1.2 Only certification issued by the AIBs listed in this MGN will be accepted by the MCA for the purpose of meeting the requirements of The REG Yacht Code, as may be amended.

1.3 For applicants wishing to act on behalf of other REG administrations, initial contact should be made to the relevant administration.

2. Criteria for Aviation Inspection Bodies

1. 2.1 In order for an organisation to be approved by the MCA as a recognised AIB, and for the HLAC issued by the organisation to be accepted by MCA for the purpose of compliance with section 25.1 (part A) and 15.1 (part B) and Annex H of the REG Yacht Code, the criteria listed in 2.2 to 2.9 of this MGN must be met.

2. 2.2 AN AIB must provide evidence to the MCA of a minimum of 5 years’ experience of inspecting helicopter lading areas located on ships or yachts against the requirements of either of the;

   1. 2.2.1    International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 14, Volume 2

   2. 2.2.2    An equivalent national helicopter landing area standard such as that of the   UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAP 437).

3. 2.3 An AIB must be certified by a UKAS accredited certification body for compliance against the requirements of ISO9001:2015 Quality Management System.

4. 2.4 An AIB must be able to demonstrate to the MCA knowledge of the requirements of Chapter 25.1, Section 15.1 and Annex H of The REG Yacht Code.

5. 2.5 An AIB must hold liability insurance to satisfy the minimum liability requirements set by the MCA, details of which may be obtained upon request.

6. 2.6 An AIB must agree to sign an Agreement with the MCA which will outline the working relationship between the MCA and the AIB and outline the monitoring arrangements the MCA will undertake to gain assurance of the ability to meet these criteria.

7. 2.7 An AIB must be able to demonstrate sufficient global coverage to inspect landing areas on yachts located anywhere in the world. This may be achieved through the ability to travel long distances at short notice.

8. 2.8 An AIB must operate an office based in United Kingdom.

3. Process of Application

3.1 An organisation wishing to act as an AIB should apply by completing details included at Annex A and submitting to externalmonitoring@mcga.gov.uk.  Upon receipt of the completed information contained within Annex A, a review will take place and a decision will be made whether to take the application forward based on the requirements listed at 2.2 to 2.8, and 3.2.

3.2 With any new applications, MCA are required to assess whether the additional audit burden through further appointments or delegations would be in the public interest as required under the treasury rules.  The MCA reserves the right to decline applications not meeting the above criteria. This is in accordance with the principles of the HM Treasury paper ‘Managing Public Money’.

3.3 The MCA reserves the right to consider charging fees in order to recover expenses for authorisation or monitoring of AIBs.

3.4 For information purposes at this stage the AIB rules that are required to be followed can be found at Annex B.

4. Process of recognition/authorisation

4.1 If the initial application is successful a formal submission will be required in order to provide further detailed evidence, including process and procedures to meet the criteria as listed in section 2 and Annex B. Full details of a formal submission will be given along with a copy of an unsigned agreement to allow sight of what is expected. 

4.2 Following satisfactory review of documentation and office audit, provisional approval may be granted pending witnessed assessment of relevant inspection on a UK/REG vessel.

4.3 Full authorisation may be granted. on successful assessment and closure of any findings and a satisfactory witnessed assessment.  

5. Authorised MCA Aviation Bodies

5.1 For a list of current authorised MCA Aviation Inspection Bodies, please visit www.gov.uk, or click here..

More information

Maritime Governance, Improvement and Assurance      
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 3/14
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Email: externalmonitoring@mcga.gov.uk

Website: www.gov.uk/mca

General enquiries: infoline@mcga.gov.uk

Please note that all addresses and telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing.