IIRC 22 Sqn. used to operate piston engine Whirlwinds for years without too much trouble even though the old Leonides was prone to throwing pots.
As with others I feel that this is some jobsworth making a name for himself in todays PC/HS world. A few years ago this would have got the plaudits it deserved for making the best of a difficult situation.
Does the modern SAR crew know how long the survivor has the potential to live before he/she is picked up?