Alkion Terminal Le Havre has taken its safety measures to another level by gaining a license to operate drones for professional purposes. This initiative makes ATLH the first SEVESO (Safety of Life and Environment from Industrial Risks) site in the Port of Le Havre to have a certified drone pilot among its employees. Sébastien Banville, the certified drone pilot, underwent approximately 80 hours of training, which was split into two parts, a theoretical and practical component.
The theoretical component of the training is based on the same training framework as an Ultra Léger Motorisé (motorised ultralight glider) pilot. It is complex and involves air regulations, meteorology, aircraft techniques, and other related topics. The theoretical component takes 40 hours, and learners study autonomously with documentation provided by the training centre. The training ends with an exam at the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC), the French national regulatory authority responsible for ensuring the safety and security of French air transport as well as providing training.
The practical component of the training took place at the training centre based in Le Havre and also at the ATLH site. It involved manoeuvring around the installations with different types of drones and various flight scenarios. Sebastien, who already had some experience, discussed topics related to future drone use in real depth with his instructor.
The drone provides two critical safety benefits for Alkion. Firstly, drones can be of valuable help in emergency response scenarios. Drones are quickly activated and eliminate the need to send personnel wearing respiratory protection equipment to deal with a significant chemical and/or thermal risk. In addition, the aerial view provided by drones is far superior to the terrestrial view, providing a visual of the place of intervention.
Secondly, drones enable easier inspection and maintenance. Drones allow easy access to difficult-to-reach locations, which would only be reachable using methods that involve time and complex technical equipment. The drone can eliminate all the technical difficulties that come with the installation of scaffolding, the use of rope access technicians, and other circumstances requiring physical access by employees.
ATLH is located in an area with a high concentration of SEVESO sites where drone flights are prohibited without authorisation. The use of a drone for a scheduled mission must, therefore, be granted at least five days in advance by the area manager, which is Haropa Port, as well by the National Air Operations Center (CNOA) based in Lyon. For emergency management, which is unpredictable, a simple telephone agreement with these authorities allows the immediate flight of the drone.
Alkion is the only SEVESO company in the port of Le Havre to have a drone and its drone pilot. At the Alkion site, Sébastien uses a DJI MAVIC 2 ENTERPRISE DUAL, which is equipped with a full HD camera, thermal and infrared sensor, powerful loudspeaker to transmit audio messages remotely, and an auxiliary light and a double projector for better visibility in low light conditions. It can fly for approximately one hour and 30 minutes at a time, powered by three batteries.
Using a drone to improve safety is a significant step forward for Alkion. It is also an example of the way in which Alkion encourages employees to improve and diversify their skills. Some of the images on the Alkion site and other communication materials were captured by Sébastien and his drone.
For more information visit www.alkion.com
