Inverness Search And Rescue Helicopter Base Marks Milestone
The new civilian search and rescue (SAR) helicopter base at Inverness Airport has reported a busy first six months as crews respond to 163 taskings.
The new civilian search and rescue (SAR) helicopter base at Inverness Airport has reported a busy first six months as crews respond to 163 taskings.
The base is operated by Bristow Helicopters Ltd on behalf of HM Coastguard and was the first of the new civilian search and rescue helicopter bases to go live on 1 April.
The base received its first tasking almost immediately to assist in the search for a missing person in the Ben Nevis area. With the RAF aircraft from Lossiemouth already responding, the crews worked together to provide a thorough handover to the new civilian service.
Among the most challenging rescues was an operation on the Castle Ridge of Ben Nevis in early April when the crew was required to winch to a very exposed position in turbulent conditions.
Chief Pilot Captain John McIntyre said: “Since going live we have received a significant number of taskings, the majority of which have been mountain SAR operations in the popular Ben Nevis range. The base was deliberately established at Inverness close to the SAR ‘hot spot’ of the Ben Nevis range and this, coupled with the speed of the new Sikorsky S92 aircraft, makes us ideally placed to respond to taskings in that area. Many of the taskings have meant operating in challenging weather conditions, with snow on the ground even in July, but the S92 has proven itself a superb aircraft with the necessary capabilities for dealing with all types of operations.”
Captain McIntyre continued: “We are grateful that essentially every emergency service in the area is taking a very proactive approach to training with us. The support we have received from them and their willingness to share their local knowledge has been invaluable in ensuring a smooth transition to the new service, as has the support of RAF Lossiemouth, Inverness Airport and the local community. We’re also pleased to have been able to welcome numerous groups from local schools, scouts, sea cadets and air cadets to name a few to visit the base and aircraft.”