Another interesting section
9.3.12 Ship Transfer Area of Operation
The Ship Transfer Area of Operation, known as Marine 1 airspace, is a local procedure for the processing of helicopters used for ship to shore transfers. The area was introduced because radar coverage in the area wasn’t sufficient to provide a surveillance based separation service. A radar map of the area of operation is now displayed on the controller’s screen which enables the controller to provide radar separation between Williamtown traffic and the Marine 1 airspace.
The issue with using a system radar map is that the required separation from the boundary creates a funnelling effect on Williamtown traffic. This is made worse when R596 Salt Ash becomes active. When Marine 1 and R596 are active only one track (runway heading) is available to the controller.
It was found that the helicopters operating in the Marine 1 airspace are typically below 500 ft AMSL and approximately 6.5 nm from the airfield. It seems excessive when considering that if the Marine 1 area was a known obstacle below 500 ft AMSL it would be accounted for (avoided) in the ATC traffic management of flight operations but ignored in regards to having to separate from it as if it was an aircraft. This is another example of a problem being created by the lack of stepped airspace and the application of Class C procedures. While this report cannot recommend a change to separation standards it is likely that with CTA steps and CTR redesign the Marine 1 area could be removed from future controlled airspace thereby avoiding the need to apply separation standards.
Finding 27
Marine 1 airspace protects aircraft from a perceived risk, rather than an actual risk.
The airspace creates new risks that must be managed by ABATS. Current MATS and MOS Part 172 separation standards do not provide a suitable solution.
Recommendation 27
Marine 1 airspace should be reviewed in the context of a stepped airspace design.