EVERYBODY!!! TIMEOUT!! Helos are tools.. differnt tools for different jobs.. no point arguing over this issue twin/single/platform size etc... one set of you are in balmy 25+ degrees of water surrounded by boats, platforms and friendly traffic - possibly with babes in bikinis cruising by??, the others are in 5 minute survival temperatures miles away from anywhere in freezing fog and rain... (scottish babes in bars in woolly jumpers too far to swim to!!). It is what it is... Ditching in GOM isn't ditching in Norway. Temperature makes a big difference to lifestyle. Annnd .... Relaaaxxx..
Gomer, Just wondering.. When you didnt have time for entering names/weights etc..Whydu not just put board in front of each seat with two columns..name and weight and get your oily Pax to each shout out their weight.. you will know your limits... all done and tick a box on your lap before pulling off? Surely you had to know you c.g / tow for insurance?
You are right, during my fortunately very brief stay at the GOM there were days it was so hot and the fishing boats around Port O'Cononr had bikinis on board, that I kinda actually wished the engine quit . . . . that way the rest of my day could have acutally had something interesting happen.