Bridge Protocols

Bridge Protocols – Plas Heli

The Bridge is Plas Heli’s dedicated event communications hub, providing continuous monitoring of VHF channels and coordinating communication between afloat and ashore teams. These protocols outline staffing requirements, radio procedures, logging standards, incident‑response responsibilities, and end‑of‑day security duties.

1. Purpose of the Bridge

The Bridge ensures:

• reliable communication between safety boats, committee boats, and shore teams
• continuous monitoring of VHF channels
• accurate logging of operational and safety‑related events
• coordinated response during incidents or emergencies
• support for the Duty Manager and Event Safety Officer

The Bridge must be staffed at all times when boats are afloat.

2. Bridge Staffing Requirements

Minimum Staffing

• Bridge Lead – oversees communication, radio discipline, and logging
• Radio Operator – monitors VHF channels and relays information to the Duty Manager

Recommended Staffing (Medium/Large Events)

• Bridge Lead
• Two Radio Operators
• Log Keeper / Support Volunteer

The Bridge can comfortably accommodate four personnel, with capacity for additional staff during major events.

3. Bridge Radio Protocol

The Bridge monitors all VHF channels via four VHF base units, enabling simultaneous listening and rapid response.

Radio Protocol

• Maintain continuous radio watch
• Use plain language (no codes)
• Identify yourself as “Bridge” at the start of each transmission
• Keep messages short and operational
• Prioritise safety‑related communication
• Log all PRIORITY MESSAGE calls immediately
• Relay essential information to:
  • Duty Manager
  • Event Safety Officer
  • Safety boats
  • Committee boats
  • Beach and slipway teams
• Request radio silence during incidents if required

Radio Checks

• Conduct radio checks before launching
• Report any radio faults immediately

4. Bridge Logging Procedures

The Bridge maintains a real‑time log of key communications and operational events.

Logs must include:

• time‑stamped incident reports
• capsizes, injuries, or safety boat interventions
• PRIORITY MESSAGE calls
• emergency service contact times
• weather changes affecting racing or safety
• race management decisions affecting safety
• lost child alerts
• gate closures or access restrictions
• any communication escalated to Duty Manager or Event Safety Officer

Logs must be:

• clear
• chronological
• factual
• stored with the Duty Manager’s event records after the event

5. Bridge Role in Incident Response

During incidents, the Bridge:

• maintains radio silence except for essential traffic
• coordinates communication between afloat and ashore teams
• logs all actions and messages
• supports the Duty Manager with situational awareness
• assists safety boats returning to the Pontoon Access Gate
• relays emergency instructions to committee boats and beach teams
• monitors additional channels for secondary incidents

6. Site Access Codes & Room Security

The Bridge team is issued a key at the start of the event and is responsible for room security throughout the event.

Responsibilities include:

• keeping the Bridge room secure at all times
• locking the Bridge room at the end of each day
• holding all current site access codes, including:
  • compound gates
  • pontoon access gate
  • emergency landing point access
  • building access points used during events
• ensuring codes are only shared with authorised personnel (Duty Manager / ESO)

7. End‑of‑Event Duties

At the end of the event, the Bridge team must ensure:

• all signal flags are replaced in their correct pockets
• all radios and equipment are returned and accounted for
• all rubbish is removed from the Bridge room
• the Bridge room is left clean, tidy, and locked

8. Reference in EMP

The Bridge Protocols form part of Plas Heli’s operational communication framework and are referenced in:

• Section 5: Communications
• Section 5.4: Emergency Communications
• Section 7: Emergency Arrangements