Waterford Coast Guard hit with further uncertainty to Rescue 117 transition
The Rescue 117 helicopter taking part in a training demonstration in Dunmore East. Photo: Joe Evans
There is further uncertainty for Waterford’s coast guard unit, Rescue 117 as the Department of Transport states their transfer date to the new provider “is yet to be finalised” as the contractual deadline quickly approaches.
There is significant concern that Ireland’s Coast Guard bases, including Waterford’s Rescue 117, could be limited in operation to just 8am to 8pm for a number of months following the transfer of the service to a new private provider. Coast Guard units in Shannon and Sligo have raised concerns over delays and uncertainty as the country’s maritime rescue service is transferred to Bristow Helicopters.
The handover of Sligo’s Rescue 118 service has been postponed by nearly two months. Originally planned to transition on Valentine’s Day, February 14, the crew will now take the timeframe planned for Waterford’s crew, the end of April, leaving the helicopter rescue crew out of Waterford Airport uncertain as to their fate.
Sources at Waterford Airport said to Waterford News & Star that they have been “left in the dark” regarding the transfer and even as to by whom they will be employed in the coming weeks, noting concern around their company health insurance and other employment factors.
The Department of Transport were approached for comment by this publication, querying whether Waterford's Rescue 117 crew will be limited in operating times when it transfers to the new provider, and if they can confirm a revised date for the handover to give the crew the much-needed clarity over their future.
The Department stated: “The date for the transfer of the Waterford base has yet to be finalised between the two contractors. Following the transition process, the Waterford SAR base, as with the other three bases, will provide services on a 24/7 basis as prescribed in the contract.”
The Department stated the transition from the existing provider CHC Ireland to Bristow Helicopters “is a complex process that requires close co-operation by both commercial operators”, while the government body is maintaining the “overarching priority” of a “safe and effective transition without interruption to services”.
“As part of this process, and with the safety of crew, citizens and mariners as the overarching priority, the Department may recognise the need to revise transition dates. Where this happens, the Department will do so without hesitation and with the expected full cooperation of both contractors.”
The State made the decision in 2023 to change the provider of the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter service following nearly 20 years with CHC Ireland.
A 10-year, €670 million contract was awarded to Bristow Helicopters, and the Irish Coast Guard is currently transitioning the service to new AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters but has encountered delays in the handover of the Shannon Airport crew to Bristow Helicopters.
It has since been revealed that the Shannon Airport-based Rescue 115 Coast Guard unit is now only providing an 8am to 8pm daytime service while the crew complete their full training on the new aircraft type, during which time they are not permitted to carry out nighttime emergency responses.
The crew of Rescue 118 at Sligo Airport raised their concerns that they are the only Coast Guard service on the west coast providing 24-hour service and are facing the same fate of “delays and uncertainty” as the Shannon Airport crew.
The Department of Transport has said that the Shannon Airport service will resume 24/7 operations by the end of February, but the Sligo crew are concerned that their service will see the same time limitations.
The same uncertainty is present in Waterford’s Rescue 117 crew, with limitations to service feared upon the transfer to the new provider.
Waterford News & Star broke the full story of Rescue 117 being 'left in the dark", you can read the story online here.
