The Government has met its commitment to providing a 24-hour helicopter search and rescue service for the south-east coast, with the relocation of an Air Corps Dauphin to Waterford airport.
The Dauphin replaces the existing Alouette helicopter, which was stationed at Waterford a year ago as part of improved search and rescue cover, but was limited to daylight hours only. The provision "marks the final step" in establishing a "second-to-none air-sea helicopter emergency infrastructure" on this coast, the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources, Dr Woods, said yesterday. The Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES), run by Dr Woods's Department, has two medium-lift Sikorsky S-61N helicopters based at Dublin and Shannon airports, on contract from the Scottish company, Bond Helicopters, at a cost of £4.5 million annually. An Air Corps Dauphin is based at Finner camp in Co Donegal. The upgrade at Waterford means that "world class" rescue helicopter coverage is now available 24 hours a day around this coastline, at a time of increased maritime activity, Dr Woods said.
The Minister also paid tribute yesterday to the Dublin-based Sikorsky S-61N, which flew 103 missions in its first year and saved or assisted 46 people.
The Price Waterhouse report on the review of the Naval Service and Air Corps has recommended that the Air Corps be equipped with four medium-lift helicopters over a four-year period, and replacement of the existing helicopter fleet of 15 Dauphin and Alouette craft with eight Squirrel-type helicopters. This would allow the Air Corps to bid for the State's search and rescue service when the contract on the west coast comes up for renewal.
To date, however, there has been no significant movement on the Minister for Defence's proposed implementation plan for the report.
