In our first Meet the Team feature of the series, we speak with Chris, Operations Manager at Safeguard Helidecks, about his background, his day-to-day role, and what continues to inspire his career in helideck operations.
As Operations Manager for the past 10 years, Chris plays a key role in ensuring that every helideck project is delivered safely, efficiently and to the highest regulatory standards.
With more than a decade in the superyacht industry and 15 years’ experience as aircrew in the Royal Navy flying the Merlin Mk1 ASW Helicopter, he brings deep operational knowledge and a passion for aviation to every project.
In this interview, Chris shares what he most enjoys about the role, the most memorable locations he’s worked in and how he’s seen the industry evolve…
What do you enjoy most about working at Safeguard Helidecks?
“I’ve been around Helicopters since I was a child and still get excited now – especially seeing them operate on a superyacht, which never gets old. We have a great team here at Safeguard Helidecks and we all work really well together. The travel is a definite bonus too: I’m very fortunate to visit some of the most beautiful parts of the world as part of this role.
But the best part of the job is the feeling you get when you see a yacht that you’ve helped design, come through to operation and you get to step on board to carry out the certification. There’s nothing like it.”
What does a typical working week look like for you?
“The exciting thing about this role is that no two weeks are the same. If I’m visiting a yacht, I could be flying to anywhere in the world at very short notice. I’ll usually spend a day or two with the crew completing the inspections and certifications before travelling home.
In a week where I’m not travelling, you’ll find me in the office – catching up on the phone with clients, handling admin and supporting the team.”
Where’s the most interesting or memorable place your work has taken you?
“I’ve been beyond lucky with this job. One major highlight includes our very first request to visit a yacht in Thailand. I travelled with a colleague to Phuket for a helideck assessment, and in many ways, that trip marked the real beginning of Safeguard Helidecks!
We’ve been asked to visit superyachts in some truly remote and varied locations – from the Artic Circle to Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi was another particularly memorable trip – the heat was incredible and unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. We were only allowed outside for 45minutes at a time to work!
If I had to pick a favourite, it would be the South of France. I’ve been there so many times over the years that it feels like a home from home. Nice, Antibes, St Tropez, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Monaco – including the annual Yacht Show – are among my favourite places in the world!
How has the industry evolved since you began working in it, and where do you see it heading next?
“The biggest change I’ve witnessed in the last few years is the change in attitude towards certification, especially as a new generation of Captains and Crew have begun their careers. There’s now an even stronger sense of cooperation and a genuine eagerness to engage with the process.
While the traditional approaches laid a solid foundation, today’s crew and Captains bring fresh perspectives which fosters a pragmatic and solution-focused mindset. This approach benefits not only certification but also teamwork across management and new build teams at shipyards.
Looking ahead, I think it’s important that we pass that knowledge on, sharing it with the next generation is key to keeping the industry moving forward.”
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the helideck certification industry today?
“As air travel continues to grow, we’re going to see more helicopters in operation – and larger models too. That means bigger landing areas and in turn, bigger yachts. It’s a challenge, but a positive one. We’ll need to evolve alongside the technology, which keeps things exciting.”
Get in touch with our team…
If you’d like to find out more about how we can help with your helideck certification requirements, please get in touch. Our team will be happy to answer any questions and give advice on the steps you need to take to ensure the safety of your superyacht helideck. Contact us here.
