Mackay Helicopters has been conducting marine pilot transfers in the Queensland region since 1984 making it the most experienced Marine Pilot Transfer business in Australia. Most recently Mackay Helicopters has been awarded the contract for Marine Pilot Transfer operations at Gladstone and Mackay for Maritime Safety Queensland. Part of the Aviator Group, Mackay Helicopters area of operation stretches from the bases at Mackay and Hamilton Island, to the inner and outer anchorage of Mackay / Hay Point and out to the Hydrographers Passage boarding ground of Blossom Bank, some 120 nautical miles from Mackay. Since 1984 Mackay Helicopters have provided Marine Pilot Transfers on a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week basis. As a result of the number of multiple pilot movements that are combined into one flight mission Mackay Helicopters also has significant experience in movements from vessel to vessel. A substantial portion of this experience has been gained in the challenging IFR operating environment and usually many miles off shore at the Blossom Bank boarding grounds.