Bristow wins Irish SAR
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From: Den Haag
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From: uk
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From: Dublin,Ireland
Can't understand all the negative comments about the IAC. They have been operating helicopters for sixty years and their safety statistics, while not perfect, compare favorably with any other similar organisation. One fatal helicopter accident and another hull loss (non fatal). Is there any other helicopter operator who can match that?.
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From: UK
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From: Inverness-shire, Ross-shire
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From: UK
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From: Over the rainbow
The current operator is licenced to Advanced Paramedic standard and have almost a base worth of SAR Advanced Paramedics operating on the line. These crews will have to revert to Paramedic status under the new service. The contract requirement is Paramedic which is not the same as the Paramedic level in UK.
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From: UK
The current operator is licenced to Advanced Paramedic standard and have almost a base worth of SAR Advanced Paramedics operating on the line. These crews will have to revert to Paramedic status under the new service. The contract requirement is Paramedic which is not the same as the Paramedic level in UK.
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From: Over the rainbow
For simplicity the AP and UK Paramedic are closely matched. They are Advanced life support providers (ALS) and can give lifesaving and pain meds intravenously as well as intubate to protect someones airway if appropriate. Irish Paramedics cannot do either of these things and are a Basic Life Support grade (BLS). For comparison in terms of skillset and medications Irish Paramedic is above UK Technician but below UK Paramedic, and UK Paramedic is above Irish Paramedic but below Irish Advanced Paramedic. Bristow getting accreditation for Paramedic level of care is a contract requirement and has been for about 15 years. CHC evidenced a need in approx 50% of cases for a higher level of care and provided such care with the existing qualified Advanced Paramedics with the blessing of the Irish Coastguard. Seems a retrograde step having the resource but not using it imo.
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From: Lost again...
For simplicity the AP and UK Paramedic are closely matched. They are Advanced life support providers (ALS) and can give lifesaving and pain meds intravenously as well as intubate to protect someones airway if appropriate. Irish Paramedics cannot do either of these things and are a Basic Life Support grade (BLS). For comparison in terms of skillset and medications Irish Paramedic is above UK Technician but below UK Paramedic, and UK Paramedic is above Irish Paramedic but below Irish Advanced Paramedic. Bristow getting accreditation for Paramedic level of care is a contract requirement and has been for about 15 years. CHC evidenced a need in approx 50% of cases for a higher level of care and provided such care with the existing qualified Advanced Paramedics with the blessing of the Irish Coastguard. Seems a retrograde step having the resource but not using it imo.
In such circumstance you would expect Bristow to start with what is required by the contract and once they're set up, if they have suitable numbers of AP qualified staff, an identified need and the blessing of the Coastguard they may be in a position to increase the level of service in much he same way CHC did?
You can't expect an incoming contractor to provide a higher than required service from the outset when they don't know how many staff will transfer across and what qualifications they will hold.
This sounds like people trying to score points on technicalities.
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From: Over the rainbow
In such circumstance you would expect Bristow to start with what is required by the contract and once they're set up, if they have suitable numbers of AP qualified staff, an identified need and the blessing of the Coastguard they may be in a position to increase the level of service in much he same way CHC did?
You can't expect an incoming contractor to provide a higher than required service from the outset when they don't know how many staff will transfer across and what qualifications they will hold.
This sounds like people trying to score points on technicalities.
You can't expect an incoming contractor to provide a higher than required service from the outset when they don't know how many staff will transfer across and what qualifications they will hold.
This sounds like people trying to score points on technicalities.
I can't agree with your point about point scoring. It has everything to do with tending to sick and injured people and giving them the best care available. My post above following the press release was to highlight while its a milestone it is still a retrograde step to the current service. This certainly is not Bristows fault, the Irish Coastguard themselves need to take their heads out of the sand and take an interest in the service they are paying for.
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From: Lost again...
Winchingout.
Thanks for your comment and clarification.
I'm sorry that i suggested that you were trying to score points - It's simply that with a thread like this it's easy to jump to conclusions about someone's motivation for a particular post. There is a lot of politics involved in this tender.
It's very apparent from your follow-up post that you're not point scoring but rather you're identifying a point of actual concern for which I thank you!
OH
Thanks for your comment and clarification.
I'm sorry that i suggested that you were trying to score points - It's simply that with a thread like this it's easy to jump to conclusions about someone's motivation for a particular post. There is a lot of politics involved in this tender.
It's very apparent from your follow-up post that you're not point scoring but rather you're identifying a point of actual concern for which I thank you!
OH
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From: Over the rainbow
OvertHawk
I appreciate your post. The crews involved care about doing the job, and want to do it well, that's all. Everyone wants to see the transition succeed and accepts it may not be perfect from the off. Its a big project with many complex issues to be brought together on a tight timetable. Despite comments I've read elsewhere, there are many within the Irish operation that will go the extra mile to help get it across the line.
I appreciate your post. The crews involved care about doing the job, and want to do it well, that's all. Everyone wants to see the transition succeed and accepts it may not be perfect from the off. Its a big project with many complex issues to be brought together on a tight timetable. Despite comments I've read elsewhere, there are many within the Irish operation that will go the extra mile to help get it across the line.
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From: Cork
They should have really gone for Irish tricolour orange rather than day-glow red I think.
https://flyinginireland.com/2024/07/...-guard-aw189s/
New Irish Coast Guard AW189’s
The first of six new AW189 helicopters destined for the Irish Coast Guard has been delivered from the Italian production line and into the Bristow Helicopters maintenance hangar to be fitted with mission equipment for its new role. Delivered initially as G-CMTP (MSN 89023), it will be re-registered as EI-IRG prior to entry into service. The second helicopter (MSN 89024) has also rolled off the production line and will be registered EI-IRR.
In December, Nova Systems announced it had been awarded a contract by Bristow Ireland Limited as the mission system integrator for Bristow’s six AW189 helicopters supporting the search and rescue on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard. Nova Systems will use their EASA-approved Part 21 Design Organisation in Shannon to act as the mission system integrator for the six AW189 helicopters, providing a bespoke solution to meet the demanding SAR mission requirements.
The Bristow Group released the air-to-air photos below of the first helicopter while it was undergoing initial test flying at the factory in Italy.
In December, Nova Systems announced it had been awarded a contract by Bristow Ireland Limited as the mission system integrator for Bristow’s six AW189 helicopters supporting the search and rescue on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard. Nova Systems will use their EASA-approved Part 21 Design Organisation in Shannon to act as the mission system integrator for the six AW189 helicopters, providing a bespoke solution to meet the demanding SAR mission requirements.
The Bristow Group released the air-to-air photos below of the first helicopter while it was undergoing initial test flying at the factory in Italy.
Last edited by T28B; 17th July 2024 at 02:37. Reason: Please learn how to use the quote function
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From: Devon
RIAT Rumours
Latest rumour heard at the weekend that the first few AW189 aircraft won't have all the mission equipment and will have a reduced communication suite fitted too due to trying to save costs and prioritising the UK contract "Pretty much an empty cabin except for a hoist" was the quote....
if that is the case, can Bristow go live with a reduction in capability, or can CHC get an extension of service? I am guessing they want to avoid a repeat of the NVG fiasco (and cost) but not sure how this may affect the service if there's no mission mapping or sensors and is a basic hoist service? (Hopefully they still have 2 fitted at least)!
if that is the case, can Bristow go live with a reduction in capability, or can CHC get an extension of service? I am guessing they want to avoid a repeat of the NVG fiasco (and cost) but not sure how this may affect the service if there's no mission mapping or sensors and is a basic hoist service? (Hopefully they still have 2 fitted at least)!
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From: The 4th dimentia.....
What is the sar and 189 experience going to be of the transition team? More names being heard up north that have no relevant experience. Though you could start with the HoT as previously discussed on here.
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From: Somewhere
Latest rumour heard at the weekend that the first few AW189 aircraft won't have all the mission equipment and will have a reduced communication suite fitted too due to trying to save costs and prioritising the UK contract "Pretty much an empty cabin except for a hoist" was the quote....
if that is the case, can Bristow go live with a reduction in capability, or can CHC get an extension of service? I am guessing they want to avoid a repeat of the NVG fiasco (and cost) but not sure how this may affect the service if there's no mission mapping or sensors and is a basic hoist service? (Hopefully they still have 2 fitted at least)!
if that is the case, can Bristow go live with a reduction in capability, or can CHC get an extension of service? I am guessing they want to avoid a repeat of the NVG fiasco (and cost) but not sure how this may affect the service if there's no mission mapping or sensors and is a basic hoist service? (Hopefully they still have 2 fitted at least)!