Canada Adopting New Offshore Rules

The Canadian government is adopting new rules for offshore helicopter operations in the wake of the March 2009 fatal Cougar Helicopters crash near St. John’s, Newfoundland that killed 17. The proposed rule changes include mandating flotation devices and emergency breathing apparatus for all aboard and that crewmembers wear specialized survival suits when flying over cold water. Operations would be prohibited when sea state conditions exceeded safe ditching levels.