Basically CASA gets a list of charter companies around the country to advise of their helicopter types & DOC rates. Then when there is an accident, CASA knows which company to contact & basically that company is obliged to go & do their best. I don;t think they would launch a R 22 to search 100 miles out to sea! Not that many aircraft are winch or float fitted or IFR, so the response isn't always great. The SAR provided for the RAAF is near Perth, a civilian company as the RAAF have no helicopters, some 2000 nm from Port Hedland, so not a quick solution. The MPT in Port Hedland must be 50 years old & I think this is the first ditching, ironically with a modern helicopter. There have bee
n some close shaves but this must be the worst accident. The water is quite warm, the pilot would have worn a life jacket but it doesn't look good. No mention if the 135 sank quickly?