Bouvet Island
 

Video from the amateur radio activation of Bouvet Island.


Routine or high risk operation? The last Bouvet Island activation was landed by RIB and was quite hazardous. Search "3Y0K" for more info on this "DXpedition".

Not sure where your coming from. Nothing in the video that seemed high risk, but might have been the solution to as you stated quite hazardous RIB operation.

I would not want to be standing on a small platform near the edge of the deck holding the blade tip and not being tethered. However, I'm a fixed wing land lubber so not familiar with acceptable risk of marine helicopter operations.

Reminds me of the days performing daily inspections while standing on the safety fence offshore. However, you wouldn't find that on any major brand offshore platform nowadays with all the Zero programs out there. Regardless, from a mx point of view more routine than risky. Ah the good old days.......

The net on the deck has hopefully been assessed for possible "issues". Wouldn't want to hook up a heel spring.

I'd assumed that was the reason they had covered the centre of the net with a canvas.

That sure was what first came to mind for me! My hovering AS350's was never the best, and that was on the apron where a little drift would not be critical. Snagging a skid in any direction was always my worry, not to mention a pitching deck!

Some info for the locationally challenged.
V1 ”Well here we are…Miles from Nowhere!”
V2 “I think we’re closer than that!”

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....00526217b.jpeg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune....4ec68d659.jpeg

Yes, it's not clear why he is not tethered but his colleague holding on to him is! I would imagine that falling into that water will require you to be pulled out very quickly.

I can hear at least one other helicopter in the background (and maybe see him hovering).

It's not clear to me why the pilot was in such a hurry to clear the deck either. After a long sea voyage and reassembly, I think I'd have liked to hover for a bit to assess things first.

I know the aircraft are from South Africa but I assume the vessel originates from Norway? Quite a journey for a pretty small boat!

It is my understanding that the amateur radio team boarded in Cape Town and sailed from there.

"The 3YØK team departed Cape Town this morning aboard the Danish registered vessel Argus from Icetugs, beginning the 1,500‑nautical‑mile transit to Bouvet Island."

ref https://3y0k.com/

Argus - https://icetugs.is/our-fleet/argus/

This. There were other ways as well depending on what standards the helideck was built or certified under.

Probably because he didn't want to trip on the cable climbing up with the blade in his hand. That's not the easiest job in those conditions.

All blades had their leading edge forward 👍. I know, Denmark not Norway.

Looked routine to me, not much pitch/heave/roll on the deck, organized crew.