🔍 Key Concepts

• Relative (apparent) wind over the deck during helicopter operations • Effects of ship movement and heading relative to true wind on helicopter safety • Why helicopters prefer steady, predictable airflow and minimal ship motion for hoisting

💭 Think About

• How does putting the ship underway (rather than stopped) change the apparent wind direction and strength felt on deck? • For a helicopter hoist, is it generally safer to have the wind coming from right ahead, from the side (beam), or more aft? Why? • Which option gives the pilot the most stable, controllable environment above the ship with the least risk of rotor wash interacting badly with the ship?:

✅ Before You Answer

• Verify which answers have the ship stopped vs. underway, and think about which is usually preferred for control during hoists • Check which options create no apparent wind, beam wind, or bow wind, and recall which is recommended in helicopter–ship manuals • Confirm which option gives a steady relative wind over the bow, not swirling or from the side