Bristow wins Irish SAR
Originally Posted by [email protected]
It's not a question of signing up to serve - look how many left to join Bristow.
It's a question of one group of personnel providing a service being replaced with another group of personnel providing the same service or one service provider being replaced by another to provide the same service ie UKSAR.
It's a question of one group of personnel providing a service being replaced with another group of personnel providing the same service or one service provider being replaced by another to provide the same service ie UKSAR.
Plenty thought otherwise but it didn't happen and so is irrelevant now. The regulations do include public sector to private sector transfer of services.
Thread Starter
Bristow certainly did well out of managed transition on UKSAR. Experienced crews at a knock down price. They have continued the knock down price model for crews with the Dutch contract and now trying it on with the Irish win.
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The Irish Coast Guard will carry out a two-hour stand down of its helicopters due to “elevated” levels of stress among pilots and staff who are concerned for their jobs following a company takeover.
CHC Ireland, who hold the contract for search and rescue helicopters for the Irish Coast Guard have called a two-hour safety stand down for their four AWSAR (All Weather Search and Rescue) bases in Sligo, Shannon, Dublin and Waterford from 12pm to 2pm this Friday.
It comes as a result of CHC’s handover to Bristow Ireland Ltd, commencing in July 2025, after they were awarded the Search and Rescue (SAR) contract by the Department of Transport.
A spokesperson for CHC Ireland said the “extremely complex” handover has left the 155 staff, comprised of pilots, co-pilots, winch operators, engineers and administrators across the four bases “very anxious” concerning the future of their employment.
Staff and unions are trying to confirm the retention of staff which is covered under the international regulation TUPE. However, Bristow Ireland Ltd are yet to open dialogue with CHC Ireland concerning the future employment of staff at all four bases.
“Aviators, who are under a licence, have a legal obligation to step down and step back when they are feeling stress which could impact their safety and the safety of those they rescue,” a spokesperson for CHC Ireland said.
CHC Ireland called this Friday’s two-hour stand down after “elevated concern” was raised through a process over the last six weeks, which enabled staff to come forward to express themselves.
“It has become more and more obvious that they are worried about their future,” they said.
They stressed that the 155 staff are looking for a “reassurance” and for the process to be sped up, with the stand down brought in as a means of “refocusing” stressed staff.
Operations will be delivered on a limited basis between 12pm-2pm today.
Helicopters and staff in Shannon and Dublin will be stood down for the first hour, while Sligo and Waterford will be brought offline during the second hour.
During these times two Helicopters will be online for the duration of the Safety Stand Down.
“They are hoping CHC will support and pursue TUPE for their jobs, so they can get back to basics.
“You can’t send people out to save others when they are under stress. It is not a cause for emergency yet, these people just want to do the best possible job,” added the spokesperson.
Bristow Ireland Ltd were contacted for comment.
CHC Ireland, who hold the contract for search and rescue helicopters for the Irish Coast Guard have called a two-hour safety stand down for their four AWSAR (All Weather Search and Rescue) bases in Sligo, Shannon, Dublin and Waterford from 12pm to 2pm this Friday.
It comes as a result of CHC’s handover to Bristow Ireland Ltd, commencing in July 2025, after they were awarded the Search and Rescue (SAR) contract by the Department of Transport.
A spokesperson for CHC Ireland said the “extremely complex” handover has left the 155 staff, comprised of pilots, co-pilots, winch operators, engineers and administrators across the four bases “very anxious” concerning the future of their employment.
Staff and unions are trying to confirm the retention of staff which is covered under the international regulation TUPE. However, Bristow Ireland Ltd are yet to open dialogue with CHC Ireland concerning the future employment of staff at all four bases.
“Aviators, who are under a licence, have a legal obligation to step down and step back when they are feeling stress which could impact their safety and the safety of those they rescue,” a spokesperson for CHC Ireland said.
CHC Ireland called this Friday’s two-hour stand down after “elevated concern” was raised through a process over the last six weeks, which enabled staff to come forward to express themselves.
“It has become more and more obvious that they are worried about their future,” they said.
They stressed that the 155 staff are looking for a “reassurance” and for the process to be sped up, with the stand down brought in as a means of “refocusing” stressed staff.
Operations will be delivered on a limited basis between 12pm-2pm today.
Helicopters and staff in Shannon and Dublin will be stood down for the first hour, while Sligo and Waterford will be brought offline during the second hour.
During these times two Helicopters will be online for the duration of the Safety Stand Down.
“They are hoping CHC will support and pursue TUPE for their jobs, so they can get back to basics.
“You can’t send people out to save others when they are under stress. It is not a cause for emergency yet, these people just want to do the best possible job,” added the spokesperson.
Bristow Ireland Ltd were contacted for comment.
A 2 hour stand down…?
Politicians and Joe Public may be fooled by this nonsense but how low will CHC Ireland stoop? And this cannot just be management driven, unions and crew are culpable in this scenario. Trying to make political statements just because they expect to be immune to the rationale of industry and business!
As suggested clearly many times previously they haven’t covered themselves in glory pre or post R116 tragedy.
There was political pressure before to keep their South Eastern base afloat when by anyone other European nations planning the contract could clearly run with just 3 bases.
Politicians and Joe Public may be fooled by this nonsense but how low will CHC Ireland stoop? And this cannot just be management driven, unions and crew are culpable in this scenario. Trying to make political statements just because they expect to be immune to the rationale of industry and business!
As suggested clearly many times previously they haven’t covered themselves in glory pre or post R116 tragedy.
There was political pressure before to keep their South Eastern base afloat when by anyone other European nations planning the contract could clearly run with just 3 bases.
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Oh the stress, the stress, of brand new latest spec aircraft, new type rating, being able to see where you're going with NVG, and real top cover. The poor dears. How ever will they manage? 
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Govt press release states 6 x AW189 but court case reveals only 5 x AW189 to be ordered, so where do we think the sixth aircraft is coming from?
Bristow at Dyce tried to convert the last of their three O&G crew change aircraft, G-OENC, into a SAR variant for the Kustwacht contract but it all went pear shaped and they had to steal another AW189 from the UK SAR fleet.
Now we find that G-OENC has been de-registered and transferred to the Irish register on 20231110. (Irish register changes for November not yet available.) Please, BIL, give it to Leonardo to do this time.
Bases still:
Sligo, Shannon, Waterford and Dublin.
FW service will comprise:
2 x King Air fixed-wing aircraft based at Shannon Airport.
Periodicity:
10 years in the case of the helicopter service.
5 years in the case of fixed wing aircraft element of the service.
Options to extend both elements out to 13 years.
Provision for the possibility of the Air Corps doing the fixed wing element of the service after five years.
Service commencement: 2025 07 01.
What else do we know?
Govt press release states 6 x AW189 but court case reveals only 5 x AW189 to be ordered, so where do we think the sixth aircraft is coming from?
Bristow at Dyce tried to convert the last of their three O&G crew change aircraft, G-OENC, into a SAR variant for the Kustwacht contract but it all went pear shaped and they had to steal another AW189 from the UK SAR fleet.
Now we find that G-OENC has been de-registered and transferred to the Irish register on 20231110. (Irish register changes for November not yet available.) Please, BIL, give it to Leonardo to do this time. Bases still:
Sligo, Shannon, Waterford and Dublin.
FW service will comprise:
2 x King Air fixed-wing aircraft based at Shannon Airport.
Periodicity:
10 years in the case of the helicopter service.
5 years in the case of fixed wing aircraft element of the service.
Options to extend both elements out to 13 years.
Provision for the possibility of the Air Corps doing the fixed wing element of the service after five years.
Service commencement: 2025 07 01.
What else do we know?
Thread Starter
Air Corps mafia still at it. The idea that they question Bristows delivery record but not the Air Corps' is nuts!
CHC transitioned-in a decade ago presumably knowing (but perhaps not fully understanding) that one day they might be required to transition-out.
(Andy's ears will have been burning but he'll be used to it by now.)
CHC transitioned-in a decade ago presumably knowing (but perhaps not fully understanding) that one day they might be required to transition-out.
(Andy's ears will have been burning but he'll be used to it by now.
)
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"Lives will be lost. We have already lost four very brave people." This shows the ignorance of the whole effort. R116 crashed due to the outgoing operators poor procedures, lack of oversight by the IAA, whom he wants to micro manage this, and overall crew error and demonstrably poor training and attitudes. Beggars belief.
"If a helicopter was grounded for a reason and if the Air Corps was available, they could take that over." Is this guy for real? The IAC were removed from all SAR in Ireland for a good reason. Let us not forget them cooking the 61 loaned to them and smashing the tailwheel of the spare cab.
"If a helicopter was grounded for a reason and if the Air Corps was available, they could take that over." Is this guy for real? The IAC were removed from all SAR in Ireland for a good reason. Let us not forget them cooking the 61 loaned to them and smashing the tailwheel of the spare cab.
The following users liked this post:
"Lives will be lost. We have already lost four very brave people." This shows the ignorance of the whole effort. R116 crashed due to the outgoing operators poor procedures, lack of oversight by the IAA, whom he wants to micro manage this, and overall crew error and demonstrably poor training and attitudes. Beggars belief.
"If a helicopter was grounded for a reason and if the Air Corps was available, they could take that over." Is this guy for real? The IAC were removed from all SAR in Ireland for a good reason. Let us not forget them cooking the 61 loaned to them and smashing the tailwheel of the spare cab.
"If a helicopter was grounded for a reason and if the Air Corps was available, they could take that over." Is this guy for real? The IAC were removed from all SAR in Ireland for a good reason. Let us not forget them cooking the 61 loaned to them and smashing the tailwheel of the spare cab.
I'm not going to "like" that post because the event it refers to is tragic.
But anyone that thinks that the Air Corps is the answer to this situation rather than either CHC or Bristow - who both have proven track records of delivering SAR (short term logistics and politics notwithstanding) is deluded.
remind me:
How did the Air Corps EC135 HEMS operation fare in the early days?
Why was R166 actually airborne the night that it crashed into Blackrock?
And we won't even talk about what happened during (and after) their positioning flight in the 139 from Italy to Ireland!!!
But anyone that thinks that the Air Corps is the answer to this situation rather than either CHC or Bristow - who both have proven track records of delivering SAR (short term logistics and politics notwithstanding) is deluded.
remind me:
How did the Air Corps EC135 HEMS operation fare in the early days?
Why was R166 actually airborne the night that it crashed into Blackrock?
And we won't even talk about what happened during (and after) their positioning flight in the 139 from Italy to Ireland!!!
Last edited by OvertHawk; 18th Dec 2023 at 23:59. Reason: spelling
The Irish Air Corps do seem rather fond of waving their willies in this contest - some desperate senior officers looking to further their careers?
Originally Posted by [email protected]
The Irish Air Corps do seem rather fond of waving their willies in this contest - some desperate senior officers looking to further their careers?
It seems to be certain politicians flapping their gums about it. I think that there are probably a good number of people in the Air Corps quietly sitting there thinking "please shut up - we want nothing to do with this!!!"
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I'm not going to "like" that post because the event it refers to is tragic.