The transition of the Sligo Search and Rescue base from CHC Ireland to the Bristow Group has been delayed and is not expected to take place until the end of April. Sligo was planned as the second base to make the transition after Shannon, which also commenced over a month behind schedule.
Commenting on the delay, The Department of Transport said: “an agreement is in place that will ensure uninterrupted 24/7 cover from Sligo to end-April…The department will not allow risks to be taken in a rush to meet contractual deadlines. To reiterate, safety of crew, citizens and mariners is the overarching priority.”
The transition of all four bases is due to be completed by 30th June according to the original contract, but this is likely to be extended. The other two bases are Waterford Airport and Weston Airport. The Department went on to say in its statement: “If the Department recognises the need to revise transition dates to ensure overall safety, this will be done without hesitation and expects full cooperation of both contractors to facilitate revised transition timelines.”
Shannon SAR base is currently operating on a 12-hour day service but is expected to go to a full 24-hour service by the end of this week.
At a Sligo Council meeting last week, Strandhill Cllr Fergal Nealon raised concerns about SAR coverage in the northwest. He said: “The search and rescue from Strandhill base is the busiest in the country, running from Tory island in north to Innis Oirr in the south, covering a vast area. The Rescue 118 helicopter has undertaken a number of recent serious medical evacuations from the Aran Islands when Shannon wasn’t available, and indeed brought a generator to Inis Meáin to provide power for water after the recent storm.”
Leonardo AW189 EI-IRS has been training at Sligo over the last week.
