Ship Air Integration

Safeguard Engineering are the supplier of choice for air safety and ship air integration advice to Cammell Laird, A&P and UK Docks, providing in-service support to the RFA and Hydrographic Patrol Vessels of the Royal Navy.

Ship Air Integration

We are defence specialists who bring 30+ years experience of in-depth knowledge and expertise.

Nick Cole Photography

Our expertise

Our Ship Air Integration team is predominantly ex-Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Aircrew, Air System Engineers, Flight Deck Operations, and Air Traffic Control professionals with extensive experience in maritime and land-based aviation. They have lived experience of operating aircraft at sea, with a detailed knowledge of maritime aviation safety and aviation inspection procedures.

The team are supported by other former Royal Navy and MoD staff from Weapon and Marine Engineering specialisations to ensure a truly comprehensive ‘whole-ship’ assessment is available.

Safeguard Engineering have been a supportive partner and collaborator of UKDocks for a long time. We have a strong working relationship with good communication, which is imperative due to the nature of the client, contract and business environments that we (UKD) work within. The team at Safeguard Engineering deserve many thanks for their continued support.

UKDocks Marine Services Ltd

The capabilities we provide

Operating Air Systems at sea requires understanding the design and capabilities of both the individual Ship and Air Systems, including how they will operate together. It’s important to understand how both systems interact and the additional hazards and risks they present. This is a complex area governed by regulations from the Military Aviation Authority, Naval Authority and Defence Maritime Regulator.

Safeguard Engineering specialises in Ship Air Interface Safety Assessments to support ship certification by the Naval Authority & Technology Group and ship air release approval by the Royal Navy Release to Service Authority.

Examples of our work and projects

In-Service Ships:

For the last 10 years, Safeguard Engineering has consistently supported the Safety and Certification needs of the RFA Fleet, the DE&S Ships Platform Authorities and the main UK Dockyards delivering the RFA and Hydrographic Patrol In-Service Support contracts. Our Ship Air Integration team has played a crucial role in the management, advisory services and production of Safety Products, as well as participating in working groups for all current Aircraft Releases to RFA Ships and numerous clearances to RN Ships.

The work delivered has included:

Author of all the current RFA Ship Aviation Safety Reports (SASR)
Management of RFA and Hydrographic Patrol Hazard Logs, including Aviation Hazards
Support the Ship Air Release programme, including new clearances and routine reviews managed through Ship Air Equipment Working Groups
Review and update of Aviation Key Hazard Area Certificates to ensure aviation safety
Preparation of Ship Air Release Recommendations for approval by authorised Platform Authority Professional Officers.

New Ships:

We have experience in supporting both DE&S and Industry Prime Shipbuilders and Equipment Suppliers during the acquisition of new shipping.

Supporting DE&S Ships Acquisition through the introduction to service of the TIDE Class Tankers under the Maritime Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) project. This included preparing Harbour Acceptance Trial Schedules and conducting inspections of aviation facilities post-build in the Far East, followed by supporting the Aircraft Releases through First of Class Flying Trials.
We have recently supported the First of Class Flying Trials for River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels (Batch 2), which required inspection of aviation arrangements against the latest edition of the Def Stan 00-133 standard and the complete review and re-issue of Aviation Hazard Logs and Ship Aviation Safety Report.
We have supported the DE&S Ships acquisition team on the Type 31 Inspiration Class Frigate project, where we reviewed the proposed design and advised the Ships Acquisition Team on the requirements for the design, build and acceptance of the Ship aviation facilities.
We supported one of the bidding teams for the RFA’s Future Solid Support (FSS) requirement. Safeguard Engineering worked with the ship design team to propose innovative solutions to meet Aviation, Air Traffic Management, and Replenishment At Sea tasks.
Safeguard Engineering has been the Independent Auditor for the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carrier Project, which has included the ship’s aviation arrangements and related areas, including Firefighting Systems and ATM Equipment. We have audited all aspects and provided advice directly to senior leaders within DES (Ships and HELS) and the Delivery and Operating Duty Holders.