Yacht Captains & Airspace

Yacht Captains. When was the last time you checked what airspace you are in?

Heading to the Miami Boat Show with your helicopter on board?🚁

As yacht captains, charting your course and selecting anchorages is second nature. But when your vessel is equipped with helicopter capabilities, there’s an additional layer of complexity in maritime aviation; airspace.

Airspace isn’t just empty sky. It’s a dynamic, three-dimensional environment that demands careful consideration alongside your nautical charts. Where you decide to anchor can significantly impact aviation operations, affecting everything from flight paths to safety protocols.

While it’s common practice to rely on helicopter pilots for planning around airspace, the ultimate responsibility lies with the vessel’s master. And yet, to our knowledge at Helicopters On Yachts (HOY), captains (officers) lack formal training in airspace management and the broader aspects of aviation operations. This gap can lead to unintended complications and even safety risks.

This example highlights a larger issue the maritime aviation sector as a whole needs to step up its preparedness for managing aviation operations. It’s not enough to rely on helicopter pilots (who are not permanently onboard) to make critical decisions about when and where the vessel should be. In fact, helicopter pilots themselves receive little training on the maritime side such as understanding why specific anchorage points are chosen or what factors influence a vessel’s course.

Bridging this knowledge gap in maritime aviation is essential for safe and efficient helicopter operations at sea. Understanding airspace regulations, restricted zones, and optimal flight conditions should be part of every captain’s toolkit, especially as aviation and maritime operations continue to integrate. At HOY, we are committed to ensuring captains have the confidence and expertise to manage both sea and sky seamlessly with the help of our AIR BOSS system.