Evening All,
As I retired MPA driver in the Irish Air Corps (CN235) I find it hard to see the service the IAC provides to the to the Irish Coast Guard and other MRCCs affected by MOD mismanagement . The inability of MOD to come up with retention policies has seen a constant trickle of experience leave the force. The service is now reduced to 0800-1800 hrs due to staff shortages in both ATC and aircrew.
My question to the wider maritime community is what arrangements are in place for UK SAR Top Cover post Nimrod? Is a commercial Top Cover provider seen now as a better/worse solution? There is a push now to civilianise all maritime fishery, SAR and Top Cover patrol ops in ireland
Myself and many former colleagues are all very disappointed
on this side of the water to see our forces mismanaged to the point where they could not respond to the SAR Top cover request on the night of the tragic events in Blacksod bay
thanks for your opinions.