Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO)
Code hlo
Helicopter Landing Officer — non-STCW; required by OPITO and most North Sea / Brazilian / Australian offshore operators for personnel supervising helicopter operations on a vessel with a helideck. Pre-flight checks, deck-party briefing, fire-fighting in the event of crash, refuelling supervision, passenger handling.
- Prerequisites
- aff
- Duration
- 40 hours
- Validity
- 2 years
- Refresher
- every 2 years
- Typical cost
- ~$1100 USD
Common offshore requirement.
Where to take this course
Country guides list accredited training centres in the major seafarer-supplying nations:
Related glossary terms
High confidence
Editorial confidence: how we grade. Data sources and methodology: /sources.
Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO): FAQ
- What is the Helicopter Landing Officer (HLO) (HLO) certification?
- Helicopter Landing Officer — non-STCW; required by OPITO and most North Sea / Brazilian / Australian offshore operators for personnel supervising helicopter operations on a vessel with a helideck. Pre-flight checks, deck-party briefing, fire-fighting in the event of crash, refuelling supervision, passenger handling. Category: Offshore.
- Who needs HLO?
- HLO applies to seafarers in roles defined under STCW. Recommended prerequisites: aff. Without HLO, operators may decline to roster you for the relevant duties.
- How long does HLO take?
- Typical course duration is 40 hours (5 working days at 8h/day). This is face-to-face or blended-learning time at an approved training centre; revalidation refresher courses are usually shorter. Plan against your sea leave window before booking.
- How much does HLO cost?
- Typical cost is around US$1100 at an approved provider. Cost varies widely by country and training centre quality; many shipping companies cover the course fee as part of the contract. Check with your manning agent or fleet department before paying out of pocket.
- Where can I get HLO?
- HLO is delivered by approved training centres in most major maritime training countries. Use our /training-centres directory and the certifications-by-country filters to find an approved provider near you. The flag administration of your seaman's book may also publish a list of accepted providers.
- How long is HLO valid?
- 2 years from issue, with a refresher required every 2 years. Plan your revalidation course before the expiry date; lapsed certificates may require re-sitting the full course rather than a refresher, and operators may refuse to extend a contract while a critical certificate is expired.