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UK search and rescue sell-off hits turbulence UK search and rescue sell-off hits turbulence
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The transfer of the UK's search and rescue service from the military to a Texas-based helicopter company has been criticised by residents of coastal communities, politicians from all the main parties and rescue experts.The transfer of the UK's search and rescue service from the military to a Texas-based helicopter company has been criticised by residents of coastal communities, politicians from all the main parties and rescue experts.
From 2016 Bristow Helicopters, part of the global Bristow Group, will take over the helicopter search and rescue (SAR) service from the RAF and navy.From 2016 Bristow Helicopters, part of the global Bristow Group, will take over the helicopter search and rescue (SAR) service from the RAF and navy.
As part of the £1.6bn 10-year contract, Bristow will operate helicopters from 10 bases around the country with the Department for Transport (DfT) arguing the company's modern aircraft will be faster and more efficient than the Sea Kings that are currently used.As part of the £1.6bn 10-year contract, Bristow will operate helicopters from 10 bases around the country with the Department for Transport (DfT) arguing the company's modern aircraft will be faster and more efficient than the Sea Kings that are currently used.
But though many military pilots and crew-members are expected to sign up for the Bristow service, there are fears that the ethos of a privatised operation is bound to be different to the much-admired one largely run by the RAF and navy for 70 years.But though many military pilots and crew-members are expected to sign up for the Bristow service, there are fears that the ethos of a privatised operation is bound to be different to the much-admired one largely run by the RAF and navy for 70 years.
There have also been concerns that the new helicopters would lack the capacity of the Sea Kings. Bristow confirmed yesterday that one of the two types of helicopters it will use will carry fewer casualties.There have also been concerns that the new helicopters would lack the capacity of the Sea Kings. Bristow confirmed yesterday that one of the two types of helicopters it will use will carry fewer casualties.
Another hugely controversial aspect is that Bristow will move operations from military bases such as Culdrose in Cornwall and Valley in Anglesey, where Prince William is based as a SAR pilot, to commercial airports.Another hugely controversial aspect is that Bristow will move operations from military bases such as Culdrose in Cornwall and Valley in Anglesey, where Prince William is based as a SAR pilot, to commercial airports.
Confirmation that two bases – at Portland in Dorset and Boulmer in Northumberland – will be cut has also caused anger. The government has said it needs to privatise SAR because the Sea Kings are reaching the end of their working lives and the military needs to focus on frontline duties.Confirmation that two bases – at Portland in Dorset and Boulmer in Northumberland – will be cut has also caused anger. The government has said it needs to privatise SAR because the Sea Kings are reaching the end of their working lives and the military needs to focus on frontline duties.
The transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, paid tribute to the RAF and navy. "The service they have provided has been exemplary and the country owes them all an enormous debt of gratitude." But he said Bristow would be able to deliver a "first-class service" with its "state of the art" helicopters.The transport secretary, Patrick McLoughlin, paid tribute to the RAF and navy. "The service they have provided has been exemplary and the country owes them all an enormous debt of gratitude." But he said Bristow would be able to deliver a "first-class service" with its "state of the art" helicopters.
The DfT insisted the new service would be better: "There will be an overall improvement in flying times to incidents of around 20% (from 23 to 19 minutes)."The DfT insisted the new service would be better: "There will be an overall improvement in flying times to incidents of around 20% (from 23 to 19 minutes)."
At present, a helicopter can reach about 70% of high-risk areas in the UK search and rescue region within 30 minutes. This would rise to 85% under the new contract. Ten Sikorsky S92s and 10 AgustaWestland AW189s will operate, two per site, at bases around the country. Bristow said 350 new jobs would be created. The contract is also good news for AgustaWestland, which will build half the new fleet in Somerset, and for Newquay airport, where the Cornish service will be based.At present, a helicopter can reach about 70% of high-risk areas in the UK search and rescue region within 30 minutes. This would rise to 85% under the new contract. Ten Sikorsky S92s and 10 AgustaWestland AW189s will operate, two per site, at bases around the country. Bristow said 350 new jobs would be created. The contract is also good news for AgustaWestland, which will build half the new fleet in Somerset, and for Newquay airport, where the Cornish service will be based.
Bristow said it would be able to provide a "world-class" service. A spokesman confirmed the AW189s have less room for casualties than the Sea Kings. But Bristow said the new machines were faster.Bristow said it would be able to provide a "world-class" service. A spokesman confirmed the AW189s have less room for casualties than the Sea Kings. But Bristow said the new machines were faster.
What will be tested is whether the ethos will change. Mike Margeson, vice-chairman of Mountain Rescue England and Wales and a team leader at Duddon and Furness in the Lake District, said he was "a little cautious and apprehensive" that the service would be as good. "We tremendously value our relationship with the navy and the RAF. We realise the Sea King fleet is ageing and welcome the investment in new aircraft. We just hope we will have the same service."What will be tested is whether the ethos will change. Mike Margeson, vice-chairman of Mountain Rescue England and Wales and a team leader at Duddon and Furness in the Lake District, said he was "a little cautious and apprehensive" that the service would be as good. "We tremendously value our relationship with the navy and the RAF. We realise the Sea King fleet is ageing and welcome the investment in new aircraft. We just hope we will have the same service."
Richard Drax, Tory MP for South Dorset and a former army officer, accepted Bristow has an "extremely good reputation" but said it was a shame that military expertise would be lost. Closure of the Portland base, which covers one of the busiest shipping and leisure sailing areas in the world, was a "body blow."Richard Drax, Tory MP for South Dorset and a former army officer, accepted Bristow has an "extremely good reputation" but said it was a shame that military expertise would be lost. Closure of the Portland base, which covers one of the busiest shipping and leisure sailing areas in the world, was a "body blow."
Bristow Helicopters was founded in the UK by Alan Bristow, a test pilot, war hero and entrepreneur. In 1996 the US company Offshore Logistics bought 50% of the company and later adopted its name.Bristow Helicopters was founded in the UK by Alan Bristow, a test pilot, war hero and entrepreneur. In 1996 the US company Offshore Logistics bought 50% of the company and later adopted its name.
The Bristow group, headquartered in Houston, provides helicopter services across the world. Since 1971 Bristow Helicopters has run civilian search and rescue services in the UK, mainly on behalf of HM Coastguard. Mike Imlach, Bristow Helicopters managing director, indicated that the company would hire service personnel: "The existing expertise and local SAR knowledge is immensely valuable and we will ensure that this is not lost."The Bristow group, headquartered in Houston, provides helicopter services across the world. Since 1971 Bristow Helicopters has run civilian search and rescue services in the UK, mainly on behalf of HM Coastguard. Mike Imlach, Bristow Helicopters managing director, indicated that the company would hire service personnel: "The existing expertise and local SAR knowledge is immensely valuable and we will ensure that this is not lost."
The Ministry of Defence said personnel who did not wish to leave would be redeployed.The Ministry of Defence said personnel who did not wish to leave would be redeployed.
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