UNIT 37 – SMCP: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, PILOTAGE & HELICOPTER OPERATIONS

This unit covers the standard phrases used to protect the marine environment, to take a pilot on board safely and to work with tugs and helicopters. It follows the IMO SMCP phrases for External Communications in three areas:

• Environmental protection — reporting an oil spill (position, size and direction), identifying the polluter, requesting oil clearance, floating booms or dispersants, and reporting dangerous goods adrift, dumping or incinerating at sea.
• Pilotage — rigging the pilot ladder, reporting an unsafe ladder, man ropes, lights and heaving line, making a lee, boarding speed, and when embarkation is not possible. Also requesting tugs and agreeing on towing lines.
• Helicopter operations — requesting a helicopter to pick up persons, with a doctor or a liferaft, confirming readiness on board, giving position, course and speed, and making identification signals.