It was just under a year ago that the Westminster government announced a major reorganisation of the UK’s search and rescue helicopter (SAR-H) provision.
Whereas the military runs the existing service, from 2012 the intention was that the privately financed Soteria consortium would oversee mountain rescue and coastguard SAR-H in a 25-year contract worth more than £6 billion.
Even in happier times for Soteria, concerns were raised by experienced rescuers about the extent to which close cooperation (for example in training) would continue between the professional and civilian-volunteer rescue teams, given that there was to be a 70 per cent reduction in military aircrew involvement. There were also worries as to whether the bigger and heavier Sikorsky S92 helicopter favoured by Soteria would prove to be as well-suited to the job as the current – but ageing – Sea King.
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The relocation of SAR operations from HMS Gannet at Prestwick to Glasgow airport was a further concern – and worries in that regard have, in the intervening year, been compounded by news that RAF Kinloss is to close while RAF Lossiemouth and RAF Leuchars are under threat. All these bases have substantial and highly regarded involvement in SAR-H operations. Now, however, all bets are off, following the announcement by the Westminster secretary of state for transport, Philip Hammond, that the bidding procedure has been halted. The process had been in doubt since mid-December, when it emerged that the Soteria bid “required clarification”, and now the minister has confirmed a major breach of confidentiality in the tendering procedure. Soteria comprised the Canadian Helicopter Corporation (CHC Helicopter), Thales Aerospace, Sikorsky and the Royal Bank of Scotland – before RBS pulled out in late January as concerns over “irregularities” emerged. “In mid December,” said the ministerial statement, “the preferred bidder in the SAR-H competition, Soteria, voluntarily came forward to inform the government of irregularities regarding the conduct of their bid team which had only then recently come to light. “The irregularities included access by one of the consortium members, CHC Helicopter, to commercially sensitive information regarding the joint MoD/Department for Transport project team’s evaluations of industry bids and evidence that a former member of that project team had assisted the consortium in its bid preparation, contrary to explicit assurances given to the project team.” CHC Helicopter is under investigation by the MoD police, who are seeking to understand “how the commercially sensitive information came to be in the possession of the bidder”. What happens next is far from clear. The government line is that the DfT and the MoD “will now consider the potential procurement options to meet future requirements for search and rescue helicopters in the United Kingdom, including options to maintain continuity of search and rescue helicopter cover until new longer term arrangements can be put in place”. Soteria – which remains hopeful as to its own continuing involvement – said yesterday that it is “disappointed to learn that the UK government has announced the cancellation of the SAR-H programme”, and that it is “evaluating the government’s decision and if given the opportunity is confident that it is capable of delivering the SAR-H programme and stands ready to work with the UK government.” It looks likely that there will be a period of reassessment – perhaps quite lengthy – with uncertainty and unease within the SAR sector. This is far from ideal, given the ongoing worries about base closures. Basically, a year has been lost with little or no progress, and the Sea Kings are now a year older than they were. Opinions within the SAR community and the wider outdoor world vary as to what will prove best for the coming years and decades. Some would have things stand still, but that is not an option. The anti-privatisation stance adopted in some quarters doesn’t meet with universal accord by any means, and the situation is complex. The key thing is that the new system – when it eventually arrives – does the job as well as, or better than, the current excellent system. If so, that will come be regarded as acceptable whatever form it takes. If not – if there is to be a reduction in either the quality or scope of what’s on offer – then there will be objections, and rightly so. There is a profound pragmatism among those involved in SAR. The watchwords are stability and reliability, and yesterday’s announcement – which appears to introduce short- or medium-term uncertainty and doubt – will worry many.Some comments from interested parties Kev Mitchell, team leader, Ochils MRT: “The SAR helicopter service is an invaluable and lifesaving aid in assisting the efforts of Scotland’s 26 mountain rescue teams. The Ochils MRT are concerned that the bidding process has been halted and would be concerned that the ageing fleet of Sea King SAR helicopters will now, due to this delay, be required to be kept in service even longer than first thought. “This period of uncertainty and delay will not be welcomed by anyone involved in the search and rescue of missing persons in the Scottish mountains and we would suggest that this matter be resolved as quickly as possible to minimise the impact on the SAR helicopter crews, the Scottish mountain rescue teams, and all the hillwalkers, climbers, and other persons who are rescued throughout Scotland.” Eddie Palmer, board director, access and environment, Scottish Canoe Association: “The Scottish Canoe Association had viewed with concern any potential drastic alteration to the current search and rescue service. We represent many sea kayakers whose recreational pastime is exploring Scotland’s coast and islands, especially on the glorious west coast. Very experienced UK kayakers both take their holidays here and also practice for many intrepid expeditions to other parts of the world. Although not wishing to see any kayakers or canoeists in trouble or distress, years of experience has shown that the helicopter cover has been timely and well organised. Our overall view has to be ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.” David Gibson, chief officer, Mountaineering Council of Scotland: “We wouldn’t wish to criticise the tendering process or those involved in it – I am sure the media will do their bit on this point. Our position is quite straightforward in that we shall be pressing for the continuity of an effective rescue service provided free of charge to all those who have benefited from it in the past, be they climbers, hillwalkers, victims of road accidents, deer stalkers, or anyone else.” Andy Beaton, member of Dundonnell MRT: “The RAF and Royal Navy Sea Kings have given stalwart service as SAR workhorses for more than 30 years, but, as the aircraft is of 1960s design, its replacement has been inevitable for several years now. “It had been expected that the Sikorsky S92 now in service with HM Coastguard might be replacing it under a successful Soteria tender, but with that bid now on the skids by all accounts it remains to be seen not only what will replace the venerable Sea King but who will be operating them. “There seems to have been little speculation regarding the new Merlin helicopter now in service with the Navy and RAF. Whoever and whatever steps into the role – and wherever they are going to be based – mountain rescue teams will require a period of training and familiarisation, as will the aircrews. The RAF and Royal Navy crews have some 40 years experience of mountain flying which has been hard earned and is greatly valued by Scottish MRTs.” David Dodson, team leader, Lomond MRT: “With regards to the latest SAR-H news, it is disappointing on a number of levels. 1 – A lot of time and effort, in all sorts of quarters, has been spent in preparation for the Soteria bid, and for it to get this far and not reach a conclusion is terribly frustrating. It is particularly disappointing that the uncertainty will continue for the foreseeable future. 2 – I am not qualified to comment on whether the bid can be amended or whether the whole process is back to square one. What I do know is that the ageing Sea Kings, presently used by the military SAR flights, are nearing the end of their working life and time is running out to find a replacement. 3 – My thoughts and sympathies are with the crews and support staff of the military SAR flights, since the period of indecision and uncertainty over their future will continue. 4 – From the Lomond MRT perspective, I take a pragmatic view, in that the system we have at the moment works well for us and, ultimately the stricken casualty. How long we can continue with the Sea King is, of course, is a concern. Whether they can be maintained until a suitable replacement, either by private finance or by military budget, can be brought into operation is a worry. Lives will be lost at sea or in the mountains if there is a gap between the end of the operational life of the Sea King and the introduction of its successor.” Heavy Whalley MBE BEM, retired but very experienced mountain rescuer: “I just hope that in the end they get it right and move quickly to get a new aircraft, which is needed. I heard some rubbish spoken on the radio by experts. As for the serviceability of the Sea Kings I am sure they will not admit it but it does cause problems – this is not due to the servicing or the personnel doing it, but the age of the aircraft. After the Nimrod debacle I hope heads roll, but I doubt that as the military and government at that high level are great at covering things up. What a mess! “The Navy and RAF crews do a superb job with an old aircraft, the Coastguard aircraft is also a great addition to a wonderful SAR service that is the envy of many. The crews must be wondering what happens next, but they all are so professional. It is so true of that great quote – ‘Lions led by donkeys’. All great people who on a regular basis put their lives at risk for others. They should have the best tools for a job that helps so many.”
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