DON’T CHOP OUR COPTER LIFELINE
Depot closure could hamper rescues
This a comes as lives shock. The s will seafarer of line be on the for and that’s certain
A helicopter hero has warned lives are being put at risk by the closure of a rescue chopper’s long-range fuel depot.
The Benbecula Airport facility in the Outer Hebrides was run by Loganair, which axed it over supply issues.
The move is said to have a knock-on effect on the air ambulance, helimed and coastguard search, and a Stornoway-based rescue helicopter.
Its crew are often called to help vessels far out in the Atlantic which, depending on the distance, may require a refuell ing stop- of f at Benbecula to complete the mission.
Last month the helicopter rescued an injured fisherman on a Peterheadbased trawler to the west of Rockall and required refuelling at Benbecula.
Now award- winning former Stornoway helicopter winchman Chris Murray has warned of the potential fatal consequences of the decision.
He said: “This comes as a bit of a shock for many reasons. One especially is now the inability to carry out longrange rescue missions from Stornoway as this was a critical refuelling point for the coastguard helicopter on our way out into the Atlantic, which over the years since the 80s has enabled the SAR crews to save many lives.
“I can only hope that for this reason alone fuel may be kept available.
“If not then a proper purpose-made helicopter refuelling point should be set up as soon as possible as in Broadford on Skye and Corpach, Fort William. If not, the lives of seafarers in distress will be on the line and that’s for certain. I know this because of the countless times in the past I have been involved in such rescues.”
The dad of one – who grew up in Dornoch, Sutherland – carried out more than 750 search and rescue missions with coastguard helicopters around the UK, including many daring and perilous rescues.
And the part he played in rescuing the crew of the German fishing boat, Hansa, which sank in 2001 about 200 miles from Benbecula, led to his bravery being officially recognised.
Six of the crew died and nine others took to a life raft in heavy seas.
Chris was lowered to the raft and lifted the nine to a helicopter, despite suffering a painful shoulder injury.
Chris’s bravery brought him the Queen’s Gallantry Medal. The other three team members were awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Bravery.
When the helicopter landed in Benbecula, it had only five minutes’ worth of fuel left. A Loganair spokesman said: “After many years of supporting the aircraft refuelling facility through thick and thin, it’s a sad day.
“We’ve had no option but to close it following the decision of our fuel supplier to discontinue deliveries by ferry to Benbecula, which it said were no longer practicable.
“We’ve looked at every possible alternative but have found none.
“The decision will not affect Loganair flights linking Benbecula with Glasgow and Stornoway, on which our aircraft can carry sufficient fuel and safety reserves for their roundtrip.
“No jobs are affected and we’d like to extend our grateful thanks to the team in Benbecula.”
A spokesman for rescue contract f irm Bristow Helicopters said: “Benbecula has occasionally provided a refuell ing point for extended operations by HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopters.
“The site’s availability and use has been limite. Refuelling will continue to be carried out at Stornoway.”