.. ... Notice that I didn't get an answer regarding UKSAR standby readiness being compromised - that is very pertinent and we should be having the debate in public and not behind closed doors - no-one HAS to read this thread, they can always ignore it if they don't like what is written.
If I come across as a stuck record it is because the issues haven't gone away.
Not only have some issues not gone away but they may be about to amplify. In less than a year, tasking will pass to MCA Aviation.
Since the beginning, MCA Aviation, and their Coastguard predecessors, have been poor reporters of SAR helicopter activity. In 2001, 'quoting the NAO findings [from 1998(?)], a UK SAR working group wrote the UK SAR helicopter Provision and Coverage Report and noted the lack of DETR/CG data for inland incidents.' Further comment was recorded in a report of 2006. No change has been observed.
