Maybe he's signalling the chopper.

Hi Rick, thanks for the link, never in a thousand years I would have assumed that the foam used to be made from ox blood, well it is never too late to learn something new.Nice hearing from you.
regards and thanks
Emmanuel.L.(Malta)

Hi Emmanuel, yes, Ox blood, but having researched further, I see that it has mostly been replaced by other foaming agents, not surprisngly!
Tty this LINK to read more.
Thanks and regards, Rick

Hi Patalavaca, OX blood?? I thought that this was used to make blood sausages.! wow , foam concentrate on my plate alongside the eggs and chips, better not tell my wife....it something new for me.
thanks and regards friend
Emmanuel.L.(Malta)

MattyBoy, that's a corker of a question; depending on the size of the ship, I guess. A VLCC may have about 6. Open to offers on that! I never counted them, but there were always many more flexible fire hoses available.
The foam room, aft at main deck level, was used to store the foam concentrate tanks and which didn't smell good at all. .. Foam concetrate was, and maybe still is, made from Ox blood, no kidding.

Oh I see - cheers for that helpful insight patalavaca. How many foam monitors would they have on deck ?

Matty, it is an optical illusion - he is not on the fo'c's'le but standing-by at a foam monitor which is located on the flying bridge/walkway.

This was standard fire prevention procedure when helicopters were used in transferring stores or personnel, just in case of a major mishap..
One or more of the other foam monitors would have been so manned as well.

What's the guy on the left doing on the bow ? Looks like he's pointing.