‘We need rescue choppers thatcanflyatnightand handle mountain winds’
Call from volunteer rescue chiefs as State to seek tender for a new air contract
IRELAND’S search and rescue helicopter service cannot rescue people trapped in the mountains at night and struggles to operate in high winds, Mountain Rescue Ireland has claimed.
The warnings are contained in a submission to the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) which has opened a consultation process on the helicopter service currently provided to mountain rescue teams.
The Government is preparing to tender for a new contract for the provision of air rescue services across the country.
The current 10-year contract, which costs about €60m a year, is operated by CHC Ireland and runs out in 2022.
It has been sharply criticised by politicians for cost overruns from an initial price of €500m to €650m. Concerns have also been expressed about alleged ‘black spots’ in the provision of its rescue services.
The latter concerns have been echoed by Mountain Rescue Ireland (MRI) in their submission to the process.
‘MRI and our Mountain Rescue Teams recommend that the current S-92, while possibly an excellent maritime helicopter, is not an optimal mountain rescue helicopter. This recommendation is based upon almost 60 years of mountain rescue teams’ experience in Ireland, Scotland and across Europe,’ the submission notes. Commenting on the difficulties posed by high winds, MRI, a voluntary nationwide mountain rescue service, said: ‘Almost 20 years of mountain rescue experience indicates these aircraft are less than optimal for use as a mountain rescue platform in the tight confines of mountain valleys and summits with complex air currents circulating unpredictably.’
‘This means that the inability of large maritime helicopters to operate in the mountains at night, with or without night-vision goggles, normally results in their unavailability at night or in bad weather – often precisely when they are most urgently required.’
Commenting on the report, former armed forces member Senator Gerard Craughwell warned that the current service is ‘not fit for purpose’.
‘We are, when it comes to complex rescue situations, quite literally operating on a wing and a prayer,’ he said.
Speaking in the Seanad, Mr Craughwell noted the MRI submission was ‘damning of the helicopters in use in this country’.
‘The Sikorsky S-92, is too big and heavy,’ he said. ‘Mountain Rescue Ireland has criticised the fact that the helicopters are never available when they are needed at night because night-vision capability was not part of the original contract.
‘It is said that the downdraft from the helicopters is so severe that it is a danger to the rescue crews at night. This results in casualties being put at risk because they have to be taken out of the mountains on foot at night,’ he said.
The Sikorsky S-92 helicopter was at the centre of the Rescue 116 helicopter crash in 2017 which claimed the lives of four members of the Irish Coast Guard, including Captain Dara Fitzpatrick.
MRI also warned that the increasing numbers of people doing outdoor sports and hiking activities will only lead to more demand for rescues in the future.
‘The current annual increase in mountain search and rescue incidents reflects the increased involvement in mountain and wilderness activities from increased tourism numbers and people getting involved in wilderness activities associated with improving healthy lifestyles.’
Worryingly, the report notes that 20% of all mountain rescue operations occur at night without helicopter support irrespective of the seriousness of casualty injuries.
It says helicopters deploy into the mountains for only 25% of rescues. ‘Even in daylight, they only deploy into mountains in VFR flying conditions [good weather].’
CHC Ireland did not respond to a request for comment.
Contacted by the MoS this week, MRI said: ‘An MRI document, intended to raise discussion at operational level, is being used out of context, in a political arena. Beyond being appreciative of all agencies assisting voluntary mountain rescuers, MRI has no further comment to add at this time.’
Responding to Dáil questions by Sinn Féin TD Darren O’Rourke, Junior Transport Minister Hildegarde Naughton said: ‘A contract agreement for search and rescue helicopters was signed on July 1, 2012 for a period of 10 years, with an option to extend for a further three years. The annual cost of the contract is €57m approximately but this can vary from one year to the next. This figure includes overheads – running the bases, paying the staff, maintenance of the helicopters, fuel, etc.’
‘We are literally on a wing and a prayer’