Helideck Engineering
Helideck Design & Installation
Navtech designs helidecks and their supporting structure for vessels, barges and offshore units — structural analysis to CAP 437 and class requirements, deck strengthening, outfitting and the complete approval package for new installations and upgrades.
Structural design and load cases
A helideck has to carry more than the aircraft sitting on it. The governing case is usually an emergency landing, and alongside that the structure must handle the aircraft in any landing position, personnel and equipment loading, wind, and the vessel motions transmitted through the supporting steel. We model these cases explicitly rather than relying on a nominal patch load.
- Design for the specified aircraft including rotor diameter and D-value
- Normal and emergency landing load cases with dynamic factors
- Landing point flexibility across the full landing area
- Wind loading and vessel motion-induced inertia effects
- Punching shear, plate and stiffener checks under wheel and skid loads
Supporting structure and deck strengthening
The helideck itself is rarely the difficult part — transferring its loads into a hull that was not designed to receive them usually is. We assess the existing structure below, design the pillars, trusses or cantilever arrangement, and detail the reinforcement so it can actually be installed in the space available.
- Support pillar, truss and cantilever arrangement design
- Assessment of existing deck and hull structure receiving the loads
- Local reinforcement design at load transfer points
- Finite element analysis of the helideck and its supporting structure
- Vibration and dynamic response assessment where required
Outfitting, marking and safety systems
Approval covers the full installation, not just the steelwork. We design the arrangement to the aviation and class requirements that apply to your flag and operating region, and coordinate the systems that go with it.
- Landing area marking, D-circle and obstacle-free sector layout to CAP 437
- Perimeter safety net, guttering and drainage arrangement
- Helideck perimeter, floodlighting and status light design
- Firefighting system arrangement including foam and monitor coverage
- Refuelling arrangement, tie-down points and access routes
- Windsock positioning and obstacle limitation surfaces
Stability impact and class approval
A helideck is significant weight added high up, so it changes the stability picture — often more than owners expect. We reassess stability alongside the structural design and submit both together, then carry the package through the class comment cycle to approval.
- Weight and centre of gravity assessment for the installation
- Updated trim and stability booklet reflecting the new arrangement
- Inclining experiment where the lightweight change requires it
- Class submission to BV, DNV, RINA, ABS, IRS or Tasneef
- Coordination with flag state and aviation authority requirements
Frequently asked questions
What standards do you design helidecks to?
CAP 437 is the usual reference for the landing area, marking and obstacle-free sectors, applied alongside the structural requirements of the relevant class society and any flag state or regional aviation authority conditions. We confirm the applicable set at the start, since it varies by operating region and operator.
Can a helideck be added to an existing vessel or barge?
Frequently, yes — it is most of our helideck work. The question is whether the existing structure can accept the load path and whether the stability margins absorb the added high weight. We assess both in a feasibility study before design begins, so you know early if it is viable.
Does adding a helideck affect vessel stability?
Yes, and it is often underestimated. A helideck places significant weight well above the centre of gravity, which reduces GM and changes damage stability results. The stability booklet must be updated and reapproved, and depending on the lightweight change an inclining experiment may be required.
Do you handle the class submission for a helideck?
Yes — the structural calculations, FEM report, drawings and updated stability documentation are prepared to the reviewing society’s requirements, submitted, and carried through the comment cycle to approval.
What information do you need to quote helideck work?
The design aircraft type (or its D-value and maximum take-off weight), vessel particulars and class society, the deck plans and structural drawings for the intended location, the current stability booklet, and your operating region so we can confirm the applicable aviation requirements.
Related engineering services
Have a vessel and a scope in mind?
Share your drawings, class society and target dates — we respond within 24–48 hours.