Canadian helicopter operator CHC is set to take over offshore search and rescue (SAR) in north-west Ireland, completing its coverage of the country.
CHC Ireland, a division of UK arm CHC Scotia, is expected to replace Irish Air Corps personnel on the Irish Coast Guard's SAR missions from Sligo, in County Donegal, within weeks. Over the past eight years CHC Ireland has taken over SAR operations from the Irish Air Corps at its three other bases in the country, but faced resistance over assuming control in Sligo, as it marks the end of military-led SAR in Ireland (Flight International 24 February-2 March)
CHC Ireland general manager Steve Duffy says the Sligo contract was awarded as an extension of the 1996 Shannon SAR deal, and completes coverage provided by bases in Dublin and Waterford. The Irish Air Corps leases a Sikorsky S-61 in Sligo from CHC Ireland, which also trained the military pilots and provides engineers. The Irish defence ministry said in December it was to pull out of its last remaining SAR base "immediately", but internal wranglings have delayed the move. The Irish Coast Guard may consider a fleet-replacement strategy now that civilian SAR extends across the country, Duffy says. Three contracts are to expire in 2005-6 and a future national tender, expected for 2007, may specify newer aircraft, such as the Sikorsky S-92 or the Eurocopter AS332L2 Super Puma Mk2, he adds.
The Royal Air Force still operates SAR missions in the UK waters around Northern Ireland.
JUSTIN WASTNAGE / LONDON
Source: Flight International
