Not sure if your question was ever answered, I understand it to be a company decision, to prevent the media from tracking the cabs on missions and harassing the SAR flights.
It's a bit pointless since they can usually be seen via other public means.
Agreed.
Come now, is it likely that a UK network news helicopter will get in the way of a SAR mission?
News helicopters with their 1000mm stabilised lens very occasionally stumble on the subject of a search.
Whilst distressing scenes may be visible from the air, it does not follow that such scenes are always broadcast, quite the contrary.
Public awareness of the role of SAR can be maintained by including air to air video in news broadcasts.
Mickjoebill