In our second Meet the Team feature, we speak with James, Senior Aviation Consultant and Lead Helideck Inspector at Safeguard Helidecks, about his extensive background, his role today and the expertise he brings to helideck operations and certification.
With over a decade as a Royal Navy helicopter pilot and over 15 years in yacht and helicopter operations, James combines operational experience with deep industry knowledge. With his experience, James has been instrumental in shaping key industry standards, including authoring the MCA Alternative Helideck Training Syllabus and contributing to the publication of the REG Yacht Code.
Since joining Safeguard Helidecks in 2022, James has helped expand the company’s certification capabilities across multiple flag states, making Safeguard Helidecks one of the most versatile Aviation Inspection Bodies in the sector. Based in Spain, James brings a global perspective from his work and life across the UK, USA, UAE and Europe.
In his interview, James shares insights into his career journey, the evolving helideck landscape and what drives his work in this specialised field…
What do you enjoy most about working at Safeguard Helidecks?
“For me, the most rewarding part of the job is visiting yachts. I genuinely enjoy meeting the crew and getting to know them – especially when I have the opportunity to stay onboard for a few days. Meeting the owners and their teams is always a fascinating experience – many of them are truly some of the brightest minds of our time, and I always come away having learned something new – both professionally and personally.
I also highly value the dynamic we have within the Safeguard Helidecks team. We support one another and bring together a diverse range of skills that makes us a strong, effective and agile part of Safeguard Engineering. While we don’t always agree and regularly challenge each other’s ideas, that healthy debate is essential for growth. Fortunately, none of us are too proud to listen and learn from different perspectives.”
What does a typical working week look like for you?
“I’m based in Spain and work remotely, but I typically spend about two weeks each month travelling – whether it’s conducting inspections onboard yachts, visiting shipyards, or attending meetings. While much of our work is based in Europe, this is a truly global industry, so I occasionally travel further afield for extended periods.
A typical working week involves a mix of planning, reviewing yacht helideck specifications, assessing operational manuals, communicating with yacht Captains and Chief Officers, travelling, conducting inspections and writing up reports. Staying up to date with current with relevant regulations is also crucial, and occasionally I’m involved in helping to draft them.
For me, this is very much a relationship-driven business. Staying connected keeps us informed about industry developments and helps generate credible leads. I spend a lot of time on the phone with my network – not just discussing business but building and maintaining trust. Being available, reliable, credible and understanding that we’re working with people who have concerns beyond helicopters – these are essential qualities in this unique industry. I feel fortunate to be part of it, and I’m committed to doing my part to uphold those standards.”
Where’s the most interesting or memorable place your work has taken you?
“I remember that when I was a teenager, Tahiti was the place I most wanted to visit. I’m lucky enough to have visited there a few times now through work – the most memorable of which was a trip to visit a fleet of yachts. I was there for around 10 days in total and spent a week onboard one of the yachts with such a great crew. It was a lot of hard work, but a lot of fun as well. To be honest, I like Tahiti – but it’s the people that always make these trips memorable.”
How did you first get involved in the superyacht aviation industry?
“After leaving the Royal Navy, I began my career in the superyacht sector in Cannes in the South of France, at the first consultancy established in this market. I later opened an independent office in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and went on to co-found my own consultancy also in Florida, with a USCG pilot.
Over the years, I’ve been actively involved in several Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) Helideck Working Groups (HDWGs) and wrote the MCA Alternative Helideck Training Syllabus, which was published as part of MGN 442 (now republished as MGN 695). I was also a key member of the HDWG when the REG Yacht Code was published back in 2019.
At my Florida-based consultancy, we became the first AIB for Republic of the Marshall Islands Flag in 2014, and were also an approved IS-BAO Audit Company and Service Support Affiliate.”
How has the industry evolved since you began working in it, and where do you see it heading next?
“Having worked in superyacht and helideck certification for nearly two decades, I’ve witnessed a great deal of change, but the most significant development I’ve observed during this time is the dramatic increase in the number of yachts that have helidecks. Today, it’s almost expected that any yacht over 80 metres will have one – even if there isn’t an intention to use it regularly. When I first started, the concept of a “certified helideck” on a yacht didn’t even exist; that only came about with Amend 1 of the Large Yacht Code (LY2) in September 2007, and it took some years before the first certifications were issued.
Looking ahead, I anticipate the regulatory landscape will move away from rigid, prescriptive standards and toward a more flexible, goal-based approach – one that better reflects the individuality and complexity of most yachts. However, this transition won’t be easy. Designers, naval architects, and owner representatives often prefer clearly defined parameters they can work toward. A goal-based framework requires a deeper understanding and contextual interpretation.
Technology, including AI, may play a role in this evolution – assisting with risk assessments and helping tailor solutions to meet goal-based standards. That said, I hope there will be a continued recognition of the need for human oversight – at least for a few more years.”
What do you see as the biggest challenge facing the helideck certification industry today?
“In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges facing helicopter operations on yachts – beyond just certification – is the risk of poor advice from non-credible ‘experts’. It’s alarmingly easy for anyone to set up a company and claim expertise without the credentials to back it up. This poses serious risks, including safety hazards, regulatory non-compliance and operational inefficiencies.
Owners and operators, often unfamiliar with the complexities of aviation and helideck operations, may find it difficult to identify these false experts. The long timelines of yacht construction, spanning four to five years, exacerbates this issue and poor advice given early can lead to costly and complicated errors later down the line.
While AI can assist with regulatory knowledge, it has led to a rise in ‘instant experts’ (a step up from ‘Wikipedia experts’ at least!). The true value of working with credible Yacht Aviation Consultants, such as those at Safeguard Helidecks, lies in our deep understanding and practical experience. We grasp the “what, why and how” behind the rules and standards, knowledge that only comes from spending time in this niche industry.
Successful yacht aviation operations depend on a balance between form and function – a balance easily missed without a thorough understanding of both sides. Trusting Safeguard Helidecks ensures you receive guidance that is both knowledgeable and rooted in practical experience, safeguarding your investment and ensuring smooth operations.”
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.
