Certified for the zone.
Compliant for the deck.
Offshore helidecks and hazardous-area platforms need wind data that operators can rely on and compliance teams can evidence. Gill provides intrinsically safe wind measurement, systems integration and access to UKAS-accredited calibration through Labcal for demanding offshore applications.
When wind data matters to flight operations, the measurement has to be dependable
For offshore helicopter operations, wind speed and direction form part of the operational picture used to assess whether a helideck can be safely approached, landed on or departed from.
A reading that is inaccurate, unrepresentative or unavailable can introduce uncertainty where there is little room for it. The requirement is therefore not simply for a sensor that produces a number, but for measurement appropriate to the installation, available when required and supported by the documentation and verification arrangements the operation demands.
That makes the wind sensor part of the operational measurement chain, rather than simply another instrument mounted on the structure.
Measuring wind where the installation itself can affect the measurement
Offshore installations create a demanding environment for wind measurement. Structures can disturb airflow, equipment is exposed to salt, vibration and weather, and access for inspection or replacement may be limited.
For helideck operations, sensor location and performance therefore matter alongside the basic measurement specification. Wind speed and direction need to be measured consistently and representatively, using equipment appropriate to the conditions and classification of the installation.
Gill provides ultrasonic wind measurement and sensing technologies for marine and offshore environments, supporting helideck monitoring, offshore weather stations and other exposed applications where environmental data forms part of operational decision-making.
Helideck monitoring
Reliable wind data for operational decisions around offshore aviation.
Continuous wind and gust measurement
Hazardous areas
Intrinsically safe options for classified offshore and industrial environments.
ATEX, IECEx and UKEX options for Zone 1 and Zone 2
Built for offshore exposure
Sealed 316 stainless steel construction for salt spray, weather and demanding marine conditions.
316 stainless steel. No moving parts.
Built for limited access
Ultrasonic measurement removes mechanical wind-sensing components that can wear or seize, reducing one source of maintenance intervention on difficult-to-access installations.
Less mechanical maintenance at the measurement point
Every operational decision starts somewhere in the measurement chain
An offshore installation contains numerous points where physical conditions become information used by operators, control systems and maintenance teams. The helideck is one of them. Elsewhere on the installation, wind and weather are measured at met masts, equipment position is monitored around cranes and davits, tank levels are measured below deck, and machinery condition can be monitored through the oil itself.
Helideck wind measurement
CAP 437 asks for an accurate and representative measurement of wind speed and direction at the helideck, with defined sampling, gust calculation and rolling averages. A sealed ultrasonic head with no moving parts keeps reporting through salt, spray and vibration.
Sensing inside the classified zone
Where the equipment sits in a Zone 1 or Zone 2 area, the instrument itself has to carry the certification. WindObserver IS is the intrinsically safe variant, certified to ATEX, IECEx and UKEX. It does not carry marine society approvals, so specify it for the hazardous area rather than as a general marine sensor.
Full weather picture on the topsides
Wind is only part of what an offshore installation reports. An integrated station adds temperature, humidity and pressure from one enclosure, with a six-axis compass so direction stays true on a structure that is never quite where the drawing says.
Heat stress on the working deck
Wet bulb globe temperature and thermal work limit let deck and platform work be planned against WBGT calculated in accordance with ISO 7243:2017 rather than judgement. Rated IP66 for fixed installation in a safe area, so site it clear of the classified zone.
Sensors at the height they belong
Structures disturb airflow, so where the measurement sits changes what it says. A separable station puts each sensor at the height WMO recommends and takes third-party analogue, Pt100 and contact-closure inputs, so instruments already on the platform feed the same record.
Rainfall without moving parts
A tipping bucket offshore is a maintenance visit waiting to happen. An infrared optical gauge measures precipitation with nothing to seize, block or wear, which matters where access is by helicopter or walk-to-work.
Where space, weight and power are tight
Handrails, davits, walk-to-work gangways and temporary masts rarely have room for a full instrument. A 270 g heated head rated to 75 m/s and sealed to IP69k carries BS EN 60945 and keeps measuring. There is no intrinsically safe version, so keep it out of the classified zone.
Knowing where the crane actually is
Cranes, davits, hatches and gangways all need dependable position feedback, and a contacting sensor in that duty wears out. Non-contact inductive sensing has nothing in the linkage to drift or fail.
Fuel, water and tank monitoring
Diesel, potable water, drill water, bilge and catch tanks all need continuous level without floats or mechanical parts that stick, foul or wear. Solid-state capacitive sensing calibrates to the fluid it actually sits in.
Seeing wear before it becomes downtime
Generators, gearboxes, cranes and thruster drives fail expensively offshore, where a maintenance visit is never convenient. Continuous ferrous debris monitoring in the oil gives earlier warning than a scheduled sample.
Evidence the measurement can be trusted
Where calibration is required, documented results and traceability show the equipment has been assessed against appropriate reference standards. Independent UKAS-accredited calibration covers the parameters an offshore installation reports on.
What offshore operations need from their sensors
Reliable wind data
Accurate wind speed and direction support operational decisions around helidecks, platforms and changing offshore conditions.
Representative measurement
Platform structures can disturb airflow, making sensor positioning and appropriate ultrasonic measurement important to obtaining meaningful wind data.
Hazardous-area sensing
Where equipment operates in classified zones, intrinsically safe sensing provides a certified approach to wind measurement without introducing rotating mechanical components.
Complete weather data
Wind is only part of the environmental picture. Temperature, humidity and pressure can provide additional information for offshore weather and operational monitoring.
Crew heat stress
WBGT and thermal work limit measurements can help operators assess heat exposure and plan deck and platform work against recognised standards.
Position feedback
Rudder, hatch, ramp, davit and crane positions require dependable feedback. Non-contact sensing removes mechanical contact at the measurement point.
Tank level measurement
Fuel, ballast, bilge and catch tanks need continuous level measurement, with solid-state sensing avoiding floats and other mechanical components that can stick, foul or wear.
Machinery condition
Detecting ferrous wear debris, water and oil temperature provides earlier visibility of developing problems in engines, gearboxes and thruster drives.
Long-term operation
Offshore equipment needs to continue measuring in salt, spray, vibration and weather while minimising unnecessary maintenance interventions where access is infrequent.
insight
Certification starts with the installation
Offshore sensing sits at the intersection of measurement performance, environmental exposure, hazardous-area requirements and operational use. The appropriate sensor therefore depends not only on what needs to be measured, but also on where the equipment will be installed and the conditions in which it will operate.
For classified areas, the certification scheme and zone classification form part of the product specification. Elsewhere, materials, ingress protection, temperature range, mounting and marine standards may determine which configuration is appropriate.
Gill provides sensing technologies ranging from intrinsically safe instruments for classified areas to sealed, corrosion-resistant construction and solid-state or non-contact measurement where mechanical wear could introduce an unnecessary maintenance requirement.
The result is a product range designed around the realities of offshore measurement: appropriate certification, suitable construction and measurement technology matched to the installation.
Environmental data is only useful when it reaches the people and systems that need it
Offshore measurement does not stop at the sensor. Environmental conditions need to be measured appropriately, data needs to reach the relevant monitoring or control system, and the measurement equipment needs to remain supported throughout its operational life.
Gill provides environmental and industrial sensing technologies alongside systems integration expertise, allowing the application to be considered as a whole rather than as a collection of disconnected instruments.
For offshore operators, that means wind, weather, position, level and machinery-condition requirements can be considered within the same broader sensing architecture.
Technologies for offshore platforms and helidecks
From intrinsically safe wind measurement in classified zones to weather, heat stress, position, tank level and machinery-condition monitoring, Gill provides sensing technologies for multiple points across an offshore installation.
WindObserver IS
Intrinsically safe 2-axis anemometer
Certified ATEX, IECEx and UKEX for hazardous offshore zones, WindObserver IS provides ultrasonic wind measurement in classified environments. Its sealed 316 stainless-steel construction contains no moving wind-sensing components.
MaxiMet Marine
Compact integrated weather station
GMX260 and GMX560 combine wind and meteorological measurement in a single compact unit for helideck and offshore met observations.
WindObserver
Robust 316 stainless 2-axis anemometer
For exposed but non-classified offshore positions, WindObserver provides ultrasonic wind measurement in a rugged stainless-steel construction, with heating available for applications where icing is a consideration.
MaxiMet Heat Stress
Compact station with WBGT and TWL
MaxiMet Heat Stress measures wet bulb globe temperature and thermal work limit alongside wind, temperature, humidity and pressure, helping operators assess heat exposure and plan deck and platform work against WBGT calculated in accordance with ISO 7243:2017.
The unit is rated IP66 for fixed installation in a safe area. Where a classified zone begins, it should be positioned outside that zone and paired with appropriate intrinsically safe sensing.
WindUltra
Compact heated 2-axis anemometer
WindUltra measures to 75 m/s from a compact 270 g body, with heating as standard and protection to IP66, IP68 and IP69K. Its compact form is suited to installations where mounting space, weight and power budget all matter.
WindUltra carries BS EN 60945. It is not available as an intrinsically safe product, so classified-area installations require an appropriate certified alternative such as WindObserver IS.
MetConnect
Separable station for platform installations
MetConnect separates its measurement points so sensors can be positioned at the heights appropriate to the installation rather than forcing every parameter into a single enclosure.
It can also accept third-party analogue, Pt100 and contact-closure inputs, allowing existing instruments to feed into the same station. For offshore applications, the THP variant can be paired with a heated anemometer where required.
Industrial sensors: measurement beyond the helideck
Blade position sensors
Non-contact linear and rotary position measurement
The sensor and target are separate components, so there is no mechanical contact at the measurement point. Blade sensors can therefore provide position feedback for rudders, thrusters, hatches, ramps, davits and cranes without introducing wear into the sensing interface.
Configurations cover linear and rotary measurement, with analogue, PWM, RS232 and RS485 outputs available depending on the model.
LevelPro, LevelLite and LevelSlick
Capacitive tank level measurement with no moving parts
Continuous level measurement for fuel, ballast, bilge and catch tanks without floats that can stick or foul. Fully sealed solid-state electronics provide a compact approach to tank level measurement, with configurations suited to different materials, weight requirements and fluids.
LevelPro provides a corrosion-resistant stainless-steel construction for general tank applications. LevelLite uses aluminium where weight matters. LevelSlick uses a FEP-coated construction for dirty, viscous or corrosive liquids.
WearDetect
Real-time ferrous wear debris detection in oil-lubricated machinery
WearDetect can be fitted as a smart sump-plug replacement or into an oil bypass circuit on engines, gearboxes and thruster drives.
The sensor captures ferrous wear particles and reports fine and coarse debris separately, while also monitoring water presence and oil temperature. This provides machinery-condition information between planned inspections and overhauls.
UKAS-accredited calibration across six measurement parameters
Labcal is an independent UKAS-accredited calibration laboratory, Lab 0625, operating to ISO/IEC 17025:2017. It provides calibration across gas and air flow, air velocity, liquid flow, pressure, temperature and humidity.
For marine and environmental measurement, this includes anemometers, Pitot tubes and thermal probes, alongside pressure gauges and transducers, thermometers, temperature and humidity probes and data loggers.
Labcal supports equipment from Gill and other manufacturers, allowing customers to consolidate calibration requirements with one specialist laboratory.
Air velocity
Anemometers · Pitot tubes · Thermal probes
Temperature & humidity
Thermometers · Probes · Data loggers · Thermocouples · Hygrometers · Transmitters
Pressure
Gauges · Transducers · Manometers · Transmitters
Gas & liquid flow
Flow meters · Gas meters · Mass flow controllers · Dispensing systems · Process control equipment
Getting hazardous-area measurement into the wider system
WindObserver IS keeps the sensing element intrinsically safe within the hazardous area while the associated interface can be positioned in the non-hazardous area.
Depending on the configuration and receiving system, outputs can be incorporated into platform monitoring, SCADA, alarm and HMI systems using established marine and industrial interfaces.
Gill R&D provides embedded software and systems integration support where a programme requires a bespoke approach.
Outputs and options
- IS barrier interface : Sensor in hazardous area, interface in safe area
- RS232 / RS422 / RS485 : Serial communications for platform systems and data loggers
- Modbus : Integration with SCADA and monitoring systems
- NMEA 0183 : Standard marine output for bridge and display systems
- Alarm & HMI integration : Outputs for platform alarm panels and operator displays
- Heated variant : For exposed installations where icing is a consideration
From weather measurement to operational assessment
Turning offshore weather measurements into information that supports a landing decision involves more than the sensor itself. Measurement, data handling, display, operational judgement and supporting records all have a role.
Weather conditions
Wind, temperature, pressure and humidity can change rapidly offshore, creating a continuously changing operating environment.
Wind measurement
Gill ultrasonic anemometers and MaxiMet weather stations measure the wind and environmental conditions required for offshore monitoring.
Data
Measured data is sampled, processed and delivered to the systems and displays used to monitor current conditions.
Operational assessment
Pilots and operators consider available weather information alongside procedures, training and professional judgement.
Evidence
Where required, maintenance, verification and calibration records provide a documented history of the measurement equipment and support wider quality and compliance requirements.
Why offshore operators specify Gill
40+ years of ultrasonic expertise
Gill pioneered ultrasonic anemometry in 1985 and has continued to develop solid-state wind measurement for demanding applications.
Designed for demanding environments
Sealed construction, corrosion-resistant materials and no moving wind-sensing parts help Gill sensors operate in exposed marine conditions.
Hazardous-area options
Selected Gill instruments are available with ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certification for applications in classified offshore environments.
Measurement beyond wind
From anemometers and integrated weather stations to heat-stress, level, position and machinery monitoring, Gill measures more of the offshore environment.
Application-led engineering
Standard products cover a wide range of requirements, with engineering expertise available where an application calls for a different sensing approach.
UK engineering. Global reach.
Gill sensing technologies are designed and manufactured in the UK, supporting marine and offshore applications worldwide.
Offshore and helideck wind sensors: common questions
Offshore helideck operations may require information about wind speed, wind direction and gusts, together with other meteorological conditions relevant to the operation. The precise monitoring requirements depend on the helideck, operating procedures and applicable standards. Gill provides ultrasonic wind sensors and integrated MaxiMet weather stations for offshore weather measurement.
Wind conditions can change rapidly offshore and form part of the operational information used when assessing helicopter approaches and landings. Accurate, representative and available wind data helps pilots and operators understand the conditions around the helideck. Gill provides ultrasonic wind measurement for offshore and helideck applications.
CAP 437 is UK Civil Aviation Authority guidance covering standards for offshore helicopter landing areas. It includes requirements and guidance relating to the operational environment around offshore helidecks, including wind and meteorological information. The applicable requirements should always be assessed against the current edition of the relevant guidance and the specific helideck installation.
The appropriate wind sensor depends on the helideck location, environmental conditions, hazardous-area classification, required outputs and applicable specifications. Gill provides WindObserver IS for certified hazardous-area applications, WindObserver for exposed non-classified locations and MaxiMet Marine for integrated meteorological measurement.
An ultrasonic anemometer measures wind speed and direction by analysing ultrasonic signals between transducers. Unlike a mechanical cup or vane anemometer, it has no rotating wind-sensing components. Gill has more than 40 years of experience developing and manufacturing ultrasonic wind sensors.
Ultrasonic wind sensors remove rotating cups, bearings and mechanical vanes from the wind measurement mechanism. This eliminates a source of mechanical wear and can reduce maintenance requirements, which is particularly valuable on exposed offshore installations where access may be restricted.
An intrinsically safe wind sensor is designed and certified for use in specified hazardous environments where explosive atmospheres may be present. Gill’s WindObserver IS is available with ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certification for applicable classified-area installations.
ATEX is the European framework covering equipment intended for use in potentially explosive atmospheres. IECEx is an international certification system for equipment used in explosive atmospheres. UKEX is the UK conformity assessment framework for equipment intended for use in explosive atmospheres in Great Britain. The appropriate certification depends on the installation, jurisdiction and zone classification.
A suitably certified intrinsically safe wind sensor can be specified for applicable Zone 1 installations, subject to its certification, installation requirements and the conditions of the specific application. Gill’s WindObserver IS is available with ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certification for relevant hazardous-area applications.
Wind sensors should be positioned so that the measurement is as representative as possible of the wind conditions relevant to the helideck, while accounting for airflow disturbance from the helideck structure and surrounding equipment. Installation requirements should be assessed against the applicable helideck guidance and the specific characteristics of the installation.
Helideck and offshore weather systems can use communications interfaces including NMEA 0183, RS232, RS422, RS485 and Modbus, depending on the sensor and receiving system. Gill provides these established interfaces across relevant sensing products and configurations.
Yes. Gill wind sensors and MaxiMet weather stations can provide measurement data to wider monitoring and display systems using established interfaces, depending on the selected configuration. Gill also provides engineering support for applications requiring bespoke integration.
The consequences depend on the application and the wider monitoring architecture. Safety-critical installations may incorporate redundancy, independent measurement sources or defined procedures for loss of environmental data. Sensor selection should therefore consider availability, environmental performance, maintenance access and the consequences of measurement failure.
Offshore weather systems provide information about conditions such as wind speed, wind direction, gusts, temperature, humidity and pressure. This information contributes to the operational picture used by pilots and operators alongside procedures, training and professional judgement when assessing helicopter operations.
Maintenance requirements depend on the sensor, installation environment and operator’s maintenance procedures. Ultrasonic sensors remove rotating wind-sensing components, eliminating mechanical wear associated with cups, bearings and vanes. Inspection, cleaning, functional checks and any required verification or calibration should follow the equipment manufacturer’s guidance and the operator’s procedures.
There is no single calibration interval appropriate for every offshore wind sensor. The appropriate frequency depends on the application, equipment, required measurement confidence, quality system and applicable procedures or standards. Where accredited calibration is required, Labcal provides UKAS-accredited calibration services for wind measurement equipment and equipment from other manufacturers.
Offshore platforms can require measurement well beyond wind. Depending on the installation, this can include weather, heat stress, equipment position, tank level and machinery condition. Gill provides technologies including ultrasonic wind sensors, MaxiMet weather stations, Blade position sensors, solid-state liquid level sensors and WearDetect oil debris monitoring.
Hazardous-area wind measurement requires equipment with certification appropriate to the classified zone and installation. Gill’s WindObserver IS provides intrinsically safe 2-axis ultrasonic wind measurement and is available with ATEX, IECEx and UKEX certification for applicable hazardous-area environments.
Yes. Gill’s sensing range covers environmental and industrial measurement across the offshore installation, including wind and weather, heat stress, position, tank level and machinery condition. This allows sensing requirements at different measurement points to be considered within a broader application architecture rather than treating the helideck sensor in isolation.
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