Bristow win the SAR contract, Sikorsky S-92 and AW189

[Thunder]

The AW189 may be able to accommodate 18 pax in a normal ferry role but sure won't be anything near that figure once configured for the SAR role. No great beef with AW189 but I do feel that the Inverness or Prestwick facility should have the S92.

[RichC]

The contract initially stated:-
Lot 1 aircraft to have radius of action of 200-250nm and minimum casualty capacity of 8, 2 of which stretchered for the S-92
Lot 2 aircraft to have a radius of action of 170nm and minimum casualty capacity of 4, 2 of which are stretchered for the AW189
Although obviously larger casualty capacity can and probably will be carried by both aircraft in certain rescue situations when required.
So they are not even looking at the 16 or 18 Pax role to start with, they will be much lighter giving greater operational capability speed/endurance.

[Arthur Tee]

I do find it difficult to understand why they would move to Caernarfon from Valley, they've litterally just built a barnd new SARHQ no more than 3 years ago.

But they've got to find a new home for for some Tucanos haven't they...?

Arthur

[P-3K]

Who will train the next generation ? Would doubt Bristows will have a training school turning out new crews.

Bristow do indeed have a training school, for both engineers and pilots, with a fully functioning EASA/CAA certified S-92A simulator positioned at Aberdeen. Indeed, many pilots have transitioned to the S92A from EC225 duties in view of the latter's ongoing issues, via this very training school.

[RichC]

I suppose it's no different to what the Government proposed a few years ago which effectively left some stations/areas without 24hr cover. For example, Portland went from 24hr to 12hr (Day only) and at one point it, Chivenor was to go 12hrs a day on rotation. Which would have left only Culdrose and Lee on Solent covering the whole of Southern England, English Channel, South Wales, Bristol Channel and SW approaches out to 200 miles.

However this current set up is, i believe 24hr operation for all the new 10 bases but i can see the point of where he is going if the "RoE" so to speak are different in the private sector as opposed to those in the military when conducting or even considering certain SAR operations/sorties. Would have to see how CHC ruled the MCA operations and if they are any different.

[welshandy]

I do find it difficult to understand why they would move to Caernarfon from Valley, they've litterally just built a barnd new SARHQ no more than 3 years ago. Also would the detechment of 60sqn Griffins still be stationed at Valley? Even with the downfall of a millitary SAR pilots would still need to learn SAR techniques. Also Will the Falkands and Cyprus still use millitary SAR?

I was thinking the same thing re Cyprus/Falklands. Griffin for Port Stanley?

[thommg]

I haven't heard it mentioned - but I'm assuming that the tasking will remain similar?

Civvie Police/MCA/NATS etc contact the ARCC in Kinloss and they will task the Bristow assets?

Do the MCA currently deploy their S92's and AW139's directly?

I'm sure it's buried in the SAR-H documents somewhere.....

[nickowen]

Good - that's short range SAR sorted with about 25% of the UKs Area of Responsibility covered. Now where's the contract for the Long Range MPA?

[steve149c]

The option at Valley is to move to Caernarfon is two fold -

(1) North Wales Heli Med already operate from there
(2) The SAR will cover the Mountain Rescue operations too, and placing the assests 20 miles closer to the mountains will cut down on flight time (and savings on fuel)

There is no need for Long range units to be based so far West any more, as the SAR role is shared with Irish CG S-91's who cover the western part of the Irish Sea.

I am sure that we will see the units at Valley over the time - I for one am pleased to see Caernarfon being selected (I live next to Valley) - as this means that the employment and jobs are spread out.

I am suprised though at the lack of assests on the East Coast?

Steve

[Thunder]

Is there a reason why Boulmer was omitted from the contract requirements? Not sure if this is still the case but it used be that during the Winter months Lossie's pair of Sea Kings were supplemented by a third as the Flt was that busy and going by the numbers of a/c being mentioned it appears that there will be one spare of each type so this is unlikely to happen with the new contract. Also will one spare airframe be will be enough for the whole of the UK?

It's also just came to me that it seems that the contract has reversed the SAR Force role away from how it is just now with it being first and fore most for the rescue of downed aircrew and other service personnel with a secondary role of civilian rescue(although civilian rescue has by far the greatest number of call outs) With that in mind is this a MoD or HM Goverment contract?

[TonyO]

What HC said!

[Tim Holden]

Sad day. I will miss seeing the Wattisham Seakings over my house. My main concern is that the S92 has more than 200 miles less range than the Sea King. Many of the Sea Kings greatest rescues have been at the very limits of its endurance. Considering we no longer have the long range SAR capability of the Nimrod I pray that there will not be a maritime disaster out in the Atlantic. We have a very big patch of ocean to cover. On the plus side the S92 would be able to get there faster than the faithful old bus.

[Thunder]

The S92's are to be kitted out with internal long range tanks which should see them surpass the Sea Kings range. The HMCG has been using the S92 for a few years now at Stornoway and Sumburgh and the crews I've spoke to, rate it very highly. Isn't there a C130 kitted out for long range SAR with the ability of dropping rafts/supplies etc..... or was that dropped as well?

As said earlier the East coast of Scotland from Peterhead down into Fife and the NE coast of England from the boarder down to Scarborough seem to be not very well covered(time on scene)and why has N Ireland been over looked as well, you would've thought now would be a good time to give then some coverage.

[ArabJazzie]

Sad day. I will miss seeing the Wattisham Seakings over my house. My main concern is that the S92 has more than 200 miles less range than the Sea King. Many of the Sea Kings greatest rescues have been at the very limits of its endurance. Considering we no longer have the long range SAR capability of the Nimrod I pray that there will not be a maritime disaster out in the Atlantic. We have a very big patch of ocean to cover. On the plus side the S92 would be able to get there faster than the faithful old bus.

Not sure that you have the correct info regarding the range of S-92 the Coastguard are to use. Not long ago one of the Sumburgh machines carried out a long range rescue west of Ireland that the Sea Kings couldnt reach.

Not sure why there is still so much negative comments regarding SAR-H! Face facts, the Sea King has had its day and the UK shambles of successive governments cant afford its replacement. However, we now have a company who have operated the CG contract in the past and have decades of experience flying over the North Sea in some really horrendous conditions. Not going over again the non issue of the civvies not keeping up their skills!!!

And i cant understand why there is very little mention that 11 of these helicopters are to be built in Britain!!!
Arabest,
Geoff.

[ArabJazzie]

As said earlier the East coast of Scotland from Peterhead down into Fife and the NE coast of England from the boarder down to Scarborough seem to be not very well covered(time on scene)and why has N Ireland been over looked as well, you would've thought now would be a good time to give then some coverage.

Dont understand that one either good buddy! However, NI is covered by the Sligo S-61N to an extent which is soon to get one of the current CHC S-92s.
Arabest,
Geoff.

[Thunder]

As said earlier the East coast of Scotland from Peterhead down into Fife and the NE coast of England from the boarder down to Scarborough seem to be not very well covered(time on scene)and why has N Ireland been over looked as well, you would've thought now would be a good time to give then some coverage.

Dont understand that one either good buddy! However, NI is covered by the Sligo S-61N to an extent which is soon to get one of the current CHC S-92s.
Arabest,
Geoff.

Wasn't sure if the Republic covered their neighbours patch as well. How does that work then do they charge the British Goverment for every mission of assistance?

[ArabJazzie]

As said earlier the East coast of Scotland from Peterhead down into Fife and the NE coast of England from the boarder down to Scarborough seem to be not very well covered(time on scene)and why has N Ireland been over looked as well, you would've thought now would be a good time to give then some coverage.

Dont understand that one either good buddy! However, NI is covered by the Sligo S-61N to an extent which is soon to get one of the current CHC S-92s.
Arabest,
Geoff.

Wasn't sure if the Republic covered their neighbours patch as well. How does that work then do they charge the British Goverment for every mission of assistance?

Not sure how it works but is CHC that run the Ireland contract so for now, i would expect they just add it to the mission bill for the UK CG.
Arabest,
Geoff.

[ArabJazzie]

Words fail me!!!

[MikeB]

I think it was quite clear that Marks post was a joke/sarcasm. There's no need for insults from either side, leave it there please guys!

[Dunk]

Thread tidied...

I think the gap beetween Humberside and kent is huge, I feel that there should be another helcopter based somewhere around the North Denes/Norwich area to fill that gap.

Dunk