Over the years the offshore oil exploration and production business has relied upon helicopters as the main method of transferring personnel to and from their workplace.
The influence of the various civil aviation authorities around the world has had a huge effect on the efficiency and safety of working in this position.
The safety of all personnel traveling to a ship or offshore location is in the hands of these specialists, whilst moving to and from the helicopter.
The HLO commands a team, which again, is usually made up of members of the ship or installation crew, known as HDAs (helideck assistants).
The assistants themselves are also trained in passenger and freight handling, helicopter safety and fire and rescue.