Crab - My memory is fading as the years go by, but I don't seem to recall you being present at any of the meetings in which the current arrangement was discussed and the protocols were being put in place. Neither it has to be said was the previous SARF Commander who also appeared to have a hearing issue over this.
Operational Control was never ceded - the whole process was intended to put in place a system whereby a single authority would have a National overview of the availability and disposition of all UK SAR helicopters and would therefore be better placed to nominate the most appropriate aircraft for any given incident. The ARCC already had knowledge of the 6 RAF and 2 RN helicopters and it made good sound sense to put the 4 MCA ones into the same pot. It is disappointing that the principles behind this generous offer (concession) have largely been lost amid all the politics and posturing in the lead up to SARH.
Tasking or scrambling the helicopter could be done either through ARCC or MRCC depending on circumstances. The tasking direct within 30/50 miles was to keep the MCA helicopters inline with the pre-existing arrangement for MRCCs tasking MOD SAR helicopters.
