Top job fellas
 

Not sure whether this was a dark blue or light blue job (might have been both due to the winch being u/s on the first cab) but cracking job by all concerned. Link to BBC footage...
BBC News - Rescue mission as cargo ship hits rocks off Conwy coast
:ok:

RN & RAF SAR rescue off North Wales Coast
 

In the hope not to start another pi$$ing thread congrats to both crews involved last night in the rescue of the ships crew. Would like to know more as to the cause of the winch 'failure' on the RN cab from prestwick and why the Valley cab was not involved in this job that was on their doorstep? Were they already tasked or having a bad run of unserviceabilities?

BBC News - Ship rescue: Oil leaks from Carrier off Llanddulas after crew saved

Well done everyone concerned

but the Nation is agog to discover if it was a ROYAL rescue

Was Valley perhaps outside of weather limits? METAR for last night shows very stong winds and gusts.

Well done to all involved, no matter if light or dark blue!:ok::ok::ok:

Snoopy, or maybe already committed or Leconfield already alerted to assist?

Without wishing to denigrate the excellent work of the crews involved last night, I can't help wondering whether it was all necessary.

The ship was swept onto the coast, where it became firmly stuck. It was not going to sink (it had run aground), it was still there this morning, and it will probably still be there in a few days time.

Why risk life and limb (especially of the winchman in the exceptionally blustery weather) for a non-life-threatening situation? The ship's crew could probably have climbed down a ladder in the cold light of day.

That ship might have, or might not have broke up over night. It might or it might not have turned onto its side and thrown those sailors into the sea. I saw NO WAY they could have got off that ship in those conditions without outside assistance and would you want to be on that wind swept freezing cold deck in gale force conditions and the sea continually breaking over the decks? I cannot begin to imagine the conditions they were enduring and respect to every single member of all rescue services that helped save the lives of those stranded mariners.

I salute the bravery of those involved in that rescue

Heathrow Harry

"but the Nation is agog to discover if it was a ROYAL rescue" I can assure you the Prince is an avid poster/reader of this site. Tower of London 4u naughty boy asking questions.

Daz

.....keep guessing....

Re the broken winch, a report on our intranet said the winch cable snagged on a lamp fitting and although it was freed, the winch was damaged and the Gannet cab returned to Valley for it to be repaired.

a question with no suggestion or agenda - really!

Can you do a winch change rotors running on a seaking? If, for example, Valley had been out of wind limits - could the RN cab have had the winch changed there turning and burning?

I've heard of Bristow doing RR winch swaps on the S61 - but is that winch not electric rather than hydraulic as per the SK?

Curiosity only - BZ to all concerned.
OH

Was on duty last night, and heard over Police radio that 3 RAF Sea Kings had gone tits, the Navy's winch had broken and the next aircraft was an hour and a half away. The pan at Valley must have got quite crowded.

Millies hero swoops again as Navy chopper ace Mike Henson saves 14 in repeat drama | The Sun |News

earlier in the day... grough — Nine walkers airlifted from Britain's snow-hit second peak

Heck of a way to start your first day on the job....

theres a fuller news report which says the Valley aircraft was unserviceable at Pollution fears, plus three weeks of A55 disruption to salvage ship - North Wales News - News - Daily Post North Wales

KG86,

The ship was on fire! Waiting till dawn to evacuate via a ladder might have been a trifle uncomfortable!

No!

If the Valley aircraft were broken, they were probably in the shed, especially in that wind. Besides, there are 9 spots on the SAR dispersal, plenty to host a few guests, such as happened during the Swanland resuce late last year.

The coastline around those parts is very difficult in places and the weather unpredictable/changeable etc.

In August 1941 an aircraft crashed off the beach at Rhosneiger and the three crew got out. During the rescue, the three crew died as did ELEVEN resuers. Two boys aged 17 were each awarded the George Medal (one went on to be a brigadier) - that's how dangerous it gets and that's why the crew had to be taken off. Well done the helio boys/gals involved.

Old Duffer

All 4 Valley aircraft off state - Prestwick nearest (in time) due to strong N wind - rescued 5 then broke the winch leaving winchman on the boat - Leconfield battled through snow to recover RN winchman plus remaining crew from boat.

Not sure why Chivenor weren't scrambled since the low level transit around the coast would have been significantly easier and possibly quicker than Lec having to hover taxi in snow to get there - someone at the ARCCK probably needs rebriefing that just because the computer says call Lec, the weather might not favour that option.

Good job though, well done to all involved.

OD - do you have more on that story -sounds interesting (say Hello to Northamptoshire for me - a county that has figured a few times in my life.

Bit embarrassing for the SAR Force HQ, missing not only a job on their doorstep, but also HRH not being involved. PR Flight must be very upset.

Wander00,

I will post the story here when I've had my supper

O-D

That's right, they always make sure he's going to be on shift when there's a big job:ugh: