Helidecks provide tailor-made aviation services to the Superyacht industry and were the first company to deliver MCA accredited training. With services including consultancy for helideck certification, helicopter procurement and integration, embarked operations plus safety management and crew training, they are trusted by the world’s most prestigious designers, builders and yachts. 

Dave Simms told us that he can remember discussing the concept of the group long before it was formally established. Having spent several years in the industry, he felt motivated by the idea of a group serving as a ‘one stop shop’ for crew safety training. 

Dave recognised that other than legislated and mandated training, some elements of the safety culture and safety training in the industry appeared to be sporadic and at best, lacked coordination. Having met plenty of busy clients, Captains and Chief Officers, he could see the need for a group of like-minded companies to step in and create easy access to multiple disciplines of safety training within the Superyacht industry.

It was this which was the deciding factor in joining the group, to build on the concept of like minded, safety conscious companies with a desire to raise the bar on safety in the industry. 

Direct business generated by the STG isn’t really a priority for Dave, though always welcome. Instead it’s being part of a professional organisation promoting something at the heart of Helidecks culture; safety. Which means that in the specialist area of operating helicopters onboard a yacht, the company brings vast experience and MCA accredited training to the table and is ideally placed to support the Superyacht industry. 

Safeguard Helidecks is a fully approved Aviation Inspection Body (AIB) authorised to inspect and assess Superyacht helidecks on behalf of the major Flag States and Chris told us that they were part of the initial conversation about the concept of the STG with Steve (Da Gama Maritime) and Dave Simms (Helidecks) in Monaco, way back before COVID struck.

The idea of a group of like minded people, coming together to support each other in business seemed like a cracking idea, and certainly something they wanted to be involved in. Knowing that everyone involved was trusted and honest, it felt like they would be in great company.

Safeguard Helidecks is licensed to issue Helicopter Landing Area Certificates (HLAC), Helicopter Landing Area Inspection Reports (HLAIR) and Helicopter Landing Area Technical Certificates (HLATC) on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), Cayman Islands Shipping Registry (CISR) ,The Marshall Islands (RMI), Malta and The Bahamas. While they aren’t specifically a training organisation, and therefore don’t strictly meet the ‘training’ part of the STG, they are able to offer support and guidance alongside Helidecks, on all things aviation related. 

The chance to be part of a project that we can all contribute to was a deciding factor in joining the STG, and being able to offer something as part of the group. They want to open doors for others in the hope that it will be reciprocated in such a positive environment.

They’d love to be with the STG if they decide to go to the Monaco show. It’s a fabulous opportunity to learn even more about other member companies and their reach, as well as promoting the benefits for clients who come to the STG.

The Safeguard Helidecks team believe that once clients realise that the STG is a one stop shop for all of their onboard (and some shore side) training requirements, the word should spread pretty fast!

Romeo Foxtrot was formed in 2019 around the belief that people can either be an organisation's greatest strength, or their biggest vulnerability, and that the traditional ‘CCTV and firewalls’ approach to security didn’t focus enough on the human element.

As the founder, Rolf, was leaving the military and developing the strategy for applying a niche skill set to the private sector, an introduction to Da Gama Maritime paved the way for membership of the STG. The opportunity jumped out, not only as a network of professionally aligned companies that can work in synergy together, but also as a support network of sorts. Running a training services company in a high-profile industry can be a lonely and occasionally difficult environment to navigate (pardon the pun!). Having people to talk to who have come across similar issues and faced the same challenges can be worth its weight in gold.

Romeo Foxtrot provides specialised intelligence-focused training in physical and technical security; ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) in the yachting industry are immensely successful in their chosen field and can have huge sway on the world stage. This means that a UBO’s yacht crew can often be the only easily discernible link between those high profile UBOs and the public; Romeo Foxtrot makes sure the whole crew are fully prepared for that through security training that blends the physical with the digital. 

The team is made up of multi-disciplinary intelligence and security professionals from across defence and government department backgrounds. Together, they bring decades of experience in understanding, solving, and managing the complex information risk management issues that affect the highest profile sectors in the world. 

Rolf told us that the benefits of being part of the group are myriad; it was a no brainer. It allowed Romeo Foxtrot to show the depth of professional network and credibility far faster than would have been possible without it.  He also said that training is a lot more complex than just a subject matter expert talking to a group of students; there’s a reason that large organisations like the military and Government agencies have stringent and in-depth accountability in training delivery - it must be deliberate and formalised for people to gain maximal value from it.

The STG provides clients with a level of due diligence for its training providers that simply isn’t found elsewhere when you’re dealing with relatively small sectors. Additionally, there is often an overlap between training topics, so having aligned companies that communicate with each other, and who are delivering to the same audience, allows for increased time and content efficiency.

Collectively, the STG has an enormous depth of knowledge; both in the yachting industry and in adjacent (occasionally totally unconnected) sectors. I challenge anyone to pose a question to the group about pretty much anything training related, and not get connected with a world leader in that field within a week! 

SubMerge stands at the forefront of private leisure submersible expeditions. With an unwavering commitment to safety, professionalism and delivering unforgettable experiences, SubMerge offers a comprehensive suite of services tailored to the clients needs. With over two decades of expertise in the personal submersible tourism industry, SubMerge has earned a stellar reputation as a trusted partner in submersible adventures, underwater technology and exploration.

The SubMerge team was introduced to the STG by another member. The concept of the STG straight away matched their belief that there is a need for professional Superyacht crew training. This training is essential in the various areas of expertise that are required by the crew, but aren’t used and practised on a daily basis, or included in basic training programs.

After a long chat with Steve, of Da Gama Maritime, and an internal discussion between the SubMerge partners, they felt that the STG is the right group of yachting professionals that they would like SubMerge to be part of.

With a deep understanding of the allure and fascination of underwater exploration, SubMerge’s team of experts excels in planning and managing exceptional submersible expeditions. The SubMerge team's commitment to safety, professionalism and delivering unforgettable experiences ensures clients have the adventure of a lifetime.

SubMerge also specialises in submersible rescue procedures. Their extensive knowledge and experience enables them to design and implement robust protocols to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of clients. With meticulous attention to detail, advanced equipment and highly trained professionals, SubMerge ensures peace of mind and a secure environment for all submersible adventures. 

A specialist Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Engineer leads the team in providing custom-fitted ROV solutions for Superyachts. Recognising each Superyachts unique challenges means they can offer meticulously designed and built ROVs, equipped with cutting edge technology to ensure optimal performance and successful outcomes.

Skilled pilots and operators work closely with clients as part of every expedition, leveraging their expertise to navigate challenging underwater environments and execute rescue operations. This integrated approach guarantees a seamless experience and underscores SubMerge’s dedication to providing the highest level of service and support.

In addition, SubMerge is proud to offer comprehensive ocean floor mapping services. Using state of the art technology, SubMerge can create accurate 3D maps of the ocean floor. This information makes a valuable contribution to scientific research and conservation efforts, as well as enhancing our understanding of the underwater world.

The SubMerge team brings over 20 years of experience working in the Superyacht industry and are fully committed to the STG. As a result, they expect to see the most impact from the association in the long term. 

The group has a clear objective and will work closely together in order to bring the strengths from each individual company directly to the client.  The key benefit for clients is a dedicated and vetted group of companies that can provide all of the training required for the whole crew.