Coast Guard Heli's

[Silver]

Is the Irish Coast Guard helicopter service funded (entirely or otherwise) by the EU ?

If so, would the same funding apply to any Air Corps SAR helis that may be purchased ?

I recall reading that some of the Portugese Air Forces' new 12 x EH-101's were (part?) funded by the EU because of their SAR equipment/capabilities.

[Silver]

"nearly twice that " - for F@*&'s sake !!!

And it should be coming out of the Dept of Marine's budget !

[alpha foxtrot 07]

sound like a good idea silver, i hope somebody from the dail is reading this, mabe it will give them some ideas

[sealion]

Expect an announcement my the minister later this week that directly relates to this matter.
No doubt FF Knows what i am talking about... '>

And thats all I can say on the matter.

[Silver]

I recall reading that the Coast Guard contract was costing c.€16 million over c.four years.

How many helis could have been purchased outright (for the AC) for that amount, and still be part funded by the EU ?

[sealion]

Announced today(as well as how shiny the new learjet will be), was the intention by the Minister to DISCONTINUE the Air Corps Provision of a SAR Heli to the North west. This in practice will end all SAR by the Air Corps.

[alpha foxtrot 07]

enough to provibe a good service for the country. plus it would be cheaper to run, the aer corps is not required to make a profit every year

[Pink Panther]

gentlemen + ladies
i read these threads in relation to SAR from time to time, and i have to say it can be frustrating
Is the 16€ million you mention the budget allocated to the THREE coastguard SAR bases? currently providing 24HOUR coverage! these three bases run a 365 day service using around 60 staff (no half day Wednesday's)!,or is this figure the budget to the aer corp for Sligo. Do you seriously think the Aer Corps could do it with those same numbers and the same budget. Anybody who thinks the aer corp at a later date will provide SAR countrywide is living in cookoo land.The sooner people face the facts that the Aer Corp are on their knees in relation to SAR at the moment,the better.WHO'S TO BLAME,I DON'T kNOW,maybe somebody on this board could enlighten me.What i do know is a non cost effective amount of money is been paid for the S-61 at sligo,the only thing it's providing is a search and wave service.good to nobody,is that value for money?,I dont think so.A person who is unlucky enough to  require the service doesn't care if its the coastguard or the aer corp who pick them up, in fact they probably don't know the difference.What they want is the comfort of knowing that somebody will be there to assist.
 Regards
An irish SAR heli pilot:)

[Silver]

From my understanding, the €16 million is for the Sligo S-61 contract only.

Would this amount not have been better spent purchasing c.3 Pumas/Cougars/S-61's... whatever, instead of paying for a 4 year contract on 1 heli '>

There is little doubt that the AC is not currently in a position to provide the required SAR coverage, but if the money had been spent in the way I have outlined above, surely they would be well on their way to providing the necessary cover ?!.

The AC have been providing the only SAR heli service for this country since 1963, and if they are provided with the proper equipment, I don't see why the cannot continue to do so.

[Pink Panther]

Silver
Please can you elaborate on what you mean by the AC providing the only SAR service for this country since 1963!The IMES,(coastguard)have been providing a service for a while now not to mention the RN,& RAF. Your question in relation to the money been used for the tender or purchasing of aircraft is a valid one,and should be directed to the AC.As to the proper equipment the S-61 in Sligo is all signing,all dancing,its still one of the best SAR platforms and all its used for is search and wave.
nice to see a bit of constructive debating on the board. '>

[Silver]

Pink Panther,
You are ofcourse correct, and what I mean't to say was that the AC have been providing the only SAR heli service from 1963 until recent times - and if they had the proper helis - could now be doing all SAR work here.

Yes, the RN and RAF (and Canadian AF!) have provided long range SAR in the past because the AC didn't (don't!) have the required helis to do so.

The Sligo AC S-61 hasn't been around very long, as we all know, and I agree that the current situation up there is disgraceful.
I'm actually surprised that none of the national newspapers have picked up on the Sligo debacle '>
 
My whole point in this thread is that the money being spent on the Sligo heli contract should have been spent on buying 2-3 medium-lift SAR helis, which could serve this country for c. 20 years - rather then spending €16 million on a four-year contract !

[Pink Panther]

Silver
If three dedicated line SAR aircraft whether they be S-92's, EH101's, S-61's (not including Sligo)were delivered to the don today all they would do is sit on the ramp.The AC simply don't have the air crew/techies to operate them.As we all  know the AC have lost alot of experienced personnel in all fields to other companies,in fact the coastguard through CHC employ alot of ex AC people.In relation to the amount paid for the tender i believe it could be nearly twice that.WHAT HAVE WE TO SHOW FOR THAT,Who knows!as far as i am aware it is coming out of the DOD's budget, they probably saw it as a short term solution to a long term problem (interim solution).The dauphins are coming close to the end of their service lives, so we are told!!so this was a quick fix,An AWSAR aircraft(medium lift)including engineers, and spares. Does this make sence?ask the DOD. '>