NATOPS

Question 1

Wave Hazard Plot

Answer 1

WARNING
-Ship operation in the red regions present a significant risk of sea water impacting the engaged H-60 rotor system. Contact between an engaged rotor system and the sea can result in catastrophic rotor damage and the loss of aircrew and flight deck personnel.
-Yellow regions indicate a hazard of 2 feet of water over the flight deck which may wash personnel overboard or damage aircraft.
NOTE
-Operating in the white regions, or in seas below 8 feet, does not eliminate the risk of water impacting the rotor system or washing over the flight deck.
-Plots are based on steady speed, non-maneuvering conditions. Hazard plots do not include a margin for wave run up.
-Initiating turns and changes in ship speed can increase the regions of hazardous operations.
-If waves are observed on the flight deck, or the ship is at increased risk of hazardous conditions, a reduction in ships speed may be required.
-Attempting to turn prior to slowing may place the aircrew and flight deck personnel in even more hazardous conditions.
-Shipboard personnel shall be trained to recognize the hazards of water over the deck.
-Radial arms of each plot indicate prevailing wave direction relative to ship heading.
-Circles indicate ship speed increasing in 5-knot increments from the innermost circle (0 knots) to a 30-knot maximum speed at the outermost circle.
-Black crosshatched regions indicates ship roll of 8 degrees or more and is included for situational awareness.
-Blue crosshatched regions indicates ship pitch of 2 degrees or more and is included for situational awareness.