End of an era

[stiz]

Well thats thats, they've finaly decided they are going to hand over responsibilty for uk SAR to a private firm. I know Irelands SAR is private and does pretty well for itself, and our seakings are falling apart, but its still sad to be seeing them going

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/uk-helicopt...e.html#ftxNF2u

[CWOJackson]

Hopefully it will improve SAR rather than just trim costs, but it's still sad to see that era come to an end.

[Naismith]

Are they going to charge for a rescue? Better carry your Amex else they let you drown. That'll do nicely sir. It's all about money these days.

[stiz]

Hopefully it will improve SAR rather than just trim costs, but it's still sad to see that era come to an end.

it'll be damn hard to imporve the SAR as it is now, being run by the RAF has made it an impeccable service. It is all about cost cutting at the end of the day, cheaper to sell it then it is buying new helicopters to replace the seakings and paying the crew. Its extremly likely all the crew (mechs/backroom staff/aircrew) involved with the SAR squadrons will be made redundant and passed out of the RAF along with all the others there trimming at the mo.

Are they going to charge for a rescue? Better carry your Amex else they let you drown. That'll do nicely sir. It's all about money these days.

they havent said, I'd be surprised if they did though.

[Naismith]

What'll happen to Prince William? No more photo ops flying his beeg chopper.

[stiz]

ah they'll just put him in a chinook, even bigger chopper!!


although to be fair Prince Will is actually an active member of the RAF SAR, and does fly rescue missions regularly, so its not really fair to bash him really

[CWOJackson]

ah they'll just put him in a chinook, even bigger chopper!!

I was surprised at how many of them you fly over there. Some of them have to be getting a little long in the tooth as well.

[CG_1976]

Are they going to charge for a rescue? Better carry your Amex else they let you drown. That'll do nicely sir. It's all about money these days.

Eh eh Don't be giving the USCG and the Canadian SAR any idea's.

[CWOJackson]

Eh eh Don't be giving the USCG and the Canadian SAR any idea's.

Some of them deserve to be charged!

Nothing like having most of your assets out looking for some overdue fishermen, only to find out they're sitting in a marina getting sloshed and never bothered to let their families know.

[aeronca1]

Are they going to charge for a rescue? Better carry your Amex else they let you drown. That'll do nicely sir. It's all about money these days.

Will they be giving out air miles on credit card usage?

[kilo delta]

Since the Irish SAR service was privatised (following the tragic Irish Air Corps Dauphin accident in Tramore,Co.Waterford) the Irish Coastguard have provided an exemplary service. They have recently passed 1000hrs on the new Sikorsky S92. The rest of the venerable S61N fleet are due to be replaced by the end of the year,IIRC.

I'm sure that a number of the current RAF SAR crews will eventually end up flying for their civilian counterparts.

[wombat666]

And Bristow do have a decent record (IIRC) operating choppers.
Nothing lasts forever.

[stiz]

And Bristow do have a decent record (IIRC) operating choppers.
Nothing lasts forever.

i never said it was going to make the thing worse etc, just sad to see the bright yellow seakings going

[n4gix]

There was a report on ABC this morning that Prince William is considering leaving the SAR presumably to allow more time for his forthcoming "daddy duties" as well as his "Royal duties..."