Air Corps SA365's

[Silver]

When the AC Dauphin's operated from L.E. Eithne, in the fisheries protection role, were they only used for observation/reporting of fishing vessels or were Naval Service boarding parties carried onboard ?

[sealion]

Maybe now that dauphins are no longer required for SAR,maybe we can see a return to Naval Aviation,before the AC loses any function whatsoever?

[Silver]

Fair enough sealion. You seem to know what you are talking about.
I just wondered if a boarding party ever 'disembarked' from a Dauphin ?

[Silver]

Now that you mention it, sealion, there has been no mention anywhere of re-activating the Naval role  '>

Perhaps naval heli ops are numbered with the CASA's 'on the job'.

However, if boarding parties could be lowered onto suspect vessels, then perhaps the helis would have a very useful role again.
After all, it must be as safe (safer?) as trying to board a vessel from a NS searider rib !?

[n-e-foo]

As far as I know the Swedes use the A109M with their navy - so if thats the type to be ordered, maybe it could lead to a return of Heli operations to Eithne, I wouldnt hold my breath though.

[sealion]

Much safer to board smaller vessels from a rib. Less masts and antannae to get tangled in/impaled on...
Helis are fine to drop a boarding/raiding party onto the open deck of a Tanker or cargo ship..but most trawlers and smaller vessels have cranes,masts etc,which can cause major hassle for pilots and those disembarking or even winching from a heli..

I'll take my chances in a rib...at least if you fall in to the drink,there will be someone there to haul you out..