Review of Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) Program for Canadian Coast Guard Helicopter Passengers

Helicopters are a key element in the Canadian Coast Guard's (CCG) profile and response capability. CCG provides maritime services supporting government priorities, contributing to the safety, accessibility, sustainability, and security of Canadian waters. In doing so, the Coast Guard serves clients in all sectors of the Canadian economy. Coast Guard programs deliver services to Canadians that include:

• Aids to navigation, icebreaking, maritime search and rescue, pollution response, and marine communications and traffic services to commercial fishers, commercial shippers, ports and recreational boaters.

• A response to federal maritime priorities and natural or man-made emergencies. The provision of support for various activities mandated under the Federal Emergency Response Plan and involvement, both nationally and internationally, in planning and exercises related to environmental response and search and rescue.

• Support to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) programs by providing vessels, helicopters, and maritime professionals to support science activities and to help manage and protect fisheries resources.

• Support to other departments, boards and agencies of the Government of Canada through the provision of ships, aircraft and other maritime services. This includes the integration of surveillance services through its contribution to the Recognized Maritime Picture and its operational support to the Department of National Defence (DND) and Public Safety.

In support of the priorities above, CCG has a fleet of 23 light and medium-lift helicopters. The operational headquarters is in Ottawa and the helicopters are assigned to 9 bases located throughout Canada. These helicopters support activities such as maritime surveillance, ice reconnaissance, maintenance and construction of aids to navigation and telecommunications equipment, personnel and cargo transfer between ship and shore, and support to science and fisheries enforcement. Coast Guard helicopters are required to operate in all areas of Canada, including the east and west coasts, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway, as well as inland waterways and the Arctic.

Through the provisions of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), Transport Canada Aircraft Services Directorate (TCASD) operates and maintains CCG’s helicopter fleet, under the provisions TC’s Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and aircraft Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO). In September 2013, one of CCG’s light-lift helicopters crashed into the Arctic Ocean, resulting in three fatalities. As a result of the incident, several findings were identified by the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) investigation, including that one of the passengers had not taken Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET).

While the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARS) stipulate egress training with 3-year recurrency for seaplane pilots, there is no equivalent requirement for helicopter operations. As of 2011, TCASD has implemented a departmental requirement for Pilots and Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AME) to undergo HUET and Emergency Underwater Breathing Apparatus (EUBA) training due to the predominance of overwater operations, but these TC requirements do not flow to CCG crew members or passengers. There is no statutory requirement to provide CCG helicopter passengers with HUET or EUBA training, therefore, the provision of such training is at the discretion of CCG, based on a Task Hazard Analysis (THA).

The overall objective of the Work is to provide CCG decision makers with the information needed to make informed decisions regarding: • The types of passenger populations and training categories; • The requirement for HUET training for CCG helicopter passenger populations; • The type(s) of training to be provided, to whom and how often (refresher interval); • The impact of training on personnel performance (i.e. mandatory pass/fail requirements); • The impact of training requirements on operations; • The level of investment and resources required; and • Tracking and management of initial and currency training.

The aim of the Work is to produce a training needs analysis (TNA) to determine the gap between the current and desired underwater egress knowledge, skills and abilities of all personnel flying in Coast Guard helicopters.

As part of the Work, the Contractor must conduct research on available options and training requirements and provide expert advice on specific issues.