Genuine query
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: North of England
Genuine query
Hi all.
I have been tasked on behalf of an international amateur radio group whether it is feasible for a helicopter to take this team out to Rockall, North Atlantic, drop them off for 24-36 hours, then collect them again. Obviously all weather permitting.
How much, how likely and how possible could this be? Very grateful of helpful replies
Similarly, do any of you know a charter boat company in the UK who may be interested in assisting this group if the helicopter route is a no-go?
Tnx!
I have been tasked on behalf of an international amateur radio group whether it is feasible for a helicopter to take this team out to Rockall, North Atlantic, drop them off for 24-36 hours, then collect them again. Obviously all weather permitting.
How much, how likely and how possible could this be? Very grateful of helpful replies
Similarly, do any of you know a charter boat company in the UK who may be interested in assisting this group if the helicopter route is a no-go?
Tnx!
Last edited by 22 Degree Halo; 22nd January 2010 at 18:20.
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 299
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From: uk
Think they better look for a boat, nearest land I think would be St Kilda but that would be still a 330 NM round trip (not sure but think an EC225 or maybe an S92 could do this ) but not much of a landing area on Rockall.
Maybe the combination of a boat with a helicopter on it would be the best of both worlds. They would need deep pockets to pay for such an expedition unless they get Mr Abramovich to sponsor & loan them one of his fleet.
Maybe the combination of a boat with a helicopter on it would be the best of both worlds. They would need deep pockets to pay for such an expedition unless they get Mr Abramovich to sponsor & loan them one of his fleet.
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 119
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From: North of England
Thanks for your reply - appreciated.
Something like that sounds ideal and so appealing, but it's where to contact such people.
Any other input is gratefully received with regards the use of a suitable heli.
Tnx again.
Abramovich to sponsor & loan them one of his fleet
Any other input is gratefully received with regards the use of a suitable heli.
Tnx again.
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Northants
Why not talk to a member of the last team to try it
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Glasgow
It has already been done before. See here - rockall island and here - The Rockall Ho! 2005 picture gallery [The Rockall Times]
And will be done again, hopefully, in 2011 - Expedition Proposal - Rockall 2011 Expedition - Nick Hancock's Solo Occupation Record Attempt in aid of Help for Heroes
And will be done again, hopefully, in 2011 - Expedition Proposal - Rockall 2011 Expedition - Nick Hancock's Solo Occupation Record Attempt in aid of Help for Heroes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 821
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From: no comment ;)
@22 degree
Knowing well all three worlds
-hamradio
-helicopters (heavy one included)
-sea from surface and bellow
can suggest following:
All that is possible but thanks to harsh environment can not be done cheap...
You need one AS350 N3 or even better AS355, with sling (maybe hoist too)
and 40 - 60 m long supply ship with clear flat deck on stern side.
200 to 300k USD budget and also fair forecast included.
To go just with helicopter is difficult because of several reasons,
helicopter must be The real big one, means expensive block hour, can not stay
near, even if it is amphibious one. It is almost impossible to sling cargo and hoist people on same approach, etc.
So combination of reasonably priced small single or twin with supply ship is fair
enough approach to project.
Till you raise that budget come to Adriatic, weather is better and rocks are not
so dangerous.
Knowing well all three worlds
-hamradio
-helicopters (heavy one included)
-sea from surface and bellow
can suggest following:
All that is possible but thanks to harsh environment can not be done cheap...
You need one AS350 N3 or even better AS355, with sling (maybe hoist too)
and 40 - 60 m long supply ship with clear flat deck on stern side.
200 to 300k USD budget and also fair forecast included.
To go just with helicopter is difficult because of several reasons,
helicopter must be The real big one, means expensive block hour, can not stay
near, even if it is amphibious one. It is almost impossible to sling cargo and hoist people on same approach, etc.
So combination of reasonably priced small single or twin with supply ship is fair
enough approach to project.
Till you raise that budget come to Adriatic, weather is better and rocks are not
so dangerous.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 87
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From: UK
Do PDG do winching? St Kilda is a big island with scope for landing in a few places, but given the size of Rockall and what is there(or not as the case may be) I think Coastguard S92 is the only viable option ...
For a sizeable donation they may be willing to help out! But really ... I'd say its very unlikely.
Boat is prob the only option, but as per the previous expedition video, the landing is hairy at best, and lethal at worst. And trust me, the waves on the day in that video show a mellow summers swell ...
Good luck pal ... you'll need it!!
For a sizeable donation they may be willing to help out! But really ... I'd say its very unlikely.
Boat is prob the only option, but as per the previous expedition video, the landing is hairy at best, and lethal at worst. And trust me, the waves on the day in that video show a mellow summers swell ...
Good luck pal ... you'll need it!!
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 299
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From: uk
Have looked into this a bit more (reading / watching links posted) I don’t think I would like to be dropped off (if it was feasible) by a helicopter without a vessel there on standby. Conditions seem to be very changeable and sometimes big waves will crash over the rock, better to have some backup close at hand.
It’s all down to how much risk you are willing to take because even with a no limit budget it won’t be a walk in the park.
Good luck to them if they will go ahead and try it!
It’s all down to how much risk you are willing to take because even with a no limit budget it won’t be a walk in the park.
Good luck to them if they will go ahead and try it!
Thread Starter
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: North of England
Thanks for all your replies - I have reported back to the guys in Belgium with your comments. I hope to report back soon and let you know how things are progressing
In the meantime, be great if more thoughts were forthcoming, although I think we've probably gone through the main avenues of landing there already..
In the meantime, be great if more thoughts were forthcoming, although I think we've probably gone through the main avenues of landing there already..
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 87
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From: UK
Just a thought, but have you thought of Sula Sgeir?
An Island North of the Outer Hebrides where the islanders go once a year to catch seabirds known as "Guga" - a tradtional island food now a bit of a delicacy as it's difficult to get hold of. (I use the term delicacy loosely as it's a definite acquired taste!!)
The guys who go there on the once yearly expedition may be able to help you ... either get there or to Rockall perhaps.
Sula Sgeir - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Just a thought.
An Island North of the Outer Hebrides where the islanders go once a year to catch seabirds known as "Guga" - a tradtional island food now a bit of a delicacy as it's difficult to get hold of. (I use the term delicacy loosely as it's a definite acquired taste!!)
The guys who go there on the once yearly expedition may be able to help you ... either get there or to Rockall perhaps.
Sula Sgeir - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Just a thought.
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: NorthWest
The charter yacht in the last attempt is here:
Home - Elinca - Yacht Charters for the Hebrides and beyond
Home - Elinca - Yacht Charters for the Hebrides and beyond
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 87
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From: UK
Hey Heli Ice,
yes it's a mix of Scottish Gaelic and Norse. there are lots of places on the west coast of Scotland with similar Norse based names. And it is very prevalent in Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.
There are lots of islands in the Outer Hebrides which end in 'ay'(oy) which is Norse for island - hence Taransay or Taran island.
I'm sure Iceland is exactly the same. Bloody Vikings!!
yes it's a mix of Scottish Gaelic and Norse. there are lots of places on the west coast of Scotland with similar Norse based names. And it is very prevalent in Orkney, Shetland and the Outer Hebrides.
There are lots of islands in the Outer Hebrides which end in 'ay'(oy) which is Norse for island - hence Taransay or Taran island.
I'm sure Iceland is exactly the same. Bloody Vikings!!
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 465
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From: swansea, wales
Let me see, I have been thinking about this proposition and query. Rockall is as I recall about 260 miles offshore from the WNW corner of Ireland. At first I was thinking block hours on a Chinook or an S53G or somesuch machine then I wondered who would already have a ship with a helipad in the vicinity with access to a helicopter to boot and it turns out that the UK, Scotland and Ireland already have such equipment in everyday use off their shores.
Why not give the Commissions of irish Lights a bell, they have a ship (Granuaile) with a heli-pad on the front deck and access to both bolkow helicopters equipped for offshore and also more recentyl an EC135T.2+ also equipped for offshore operations and in tandem with a ship which carries fuel for it.
The other advantage is the ship is already in the Irish region hence there would be no position trips to fork out for. Just an eurika moment I had earlier whilst sittign in my shed. At least they could advise being pros on those types of operations servicing the soem 15 rock lighthouses off the Irish Shores?
Why not give the Commissions of irish Lights a bell, they have a ship (Granuaile) with a heli-pad on the front deck and access to both bolkow helicopters equipped for offshore and also more recentyl an EC135T.2+ also equipped for offshore operations and in tandem with a ship which carries fuel for it.
The other advantage is the ship is already in the Irish region hence there would be no position trips to fork out for. Just an eurika moment I had earlier whilst sittign in my shed. At least they could advise being pros on those types of operations servicing the soem 15 rock lighthouses off the Irish Shores?