24-hour search and rescue to save lives

COUNTLESS lives will be saved now that a 24-hour search and rescue helicopter service out of Waterford South East Regional Airport has been restored, said Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, John Browne yesterday.

He was at the airport, with representatives of CHC Helicopter Corporation and the Irish Coast Guard where they reviewed the SAR (Search and Rescue) service, provided on a full 24-hour basis since June 10.

“We are thrilled that the Government made the investment which allowed us to restore the 24-hour service off the south east, one of the busiest stretches of coastline in the country. And the investment continues with the development of a building to house the main operation.

“This is a state-of-the-art helicopter service and has every possible facility. I know that questions were raised about safety last week but there is no question of a safety compromise on this service. It is first-class,” he said.

Chairperson of the airport board, Nicky Fewer, said that while most media attention focused on the commencement by Aer Arann on June 9 of passenger services between Waterford and London Luton, the importance of the CHC Helicopter Corporation and the search and rescue service they provide from the airport could not be overstated.

“Naturally, the scheduled passenger services are the most visible aspect of our activities at the airport but the search and rescue helicopter service is also a key element of our business and we very much welcome the resumption of 24-hour cover. Our congratulations and best wishes go to Capt Simon Cottrell, who is the CHC base manager and chief pilot at the South East Regional Airport and to Capt Liam Kirwan, director, Irish Coast Guard.

“There is also a very important safety dimension to the work carried out by CHC at Waterford and it was a source of considerable concern to us earlier this year when it was suggested that the South East Regional Airport might lose the search and rescue service covering as far west as Cork and up to 200 miles offshore. This uncertainty has now been removed and today’s ministerial visit is evidence of the Government’s commitment to the airport’s future.”