Mountain Rescue Ireland want smaller helicopters for search and rescue missions
 

So the Irish Sun couldn't even be bothered to find (or take) a picture of an S92 and shoved in an old S-61 pic instead - modern journalism...:ugh:

The S 61 is mentioned in the piece, but where are they getting their ideas from, considering the RAF used the Sea King in the mountains for years as well as the Wessex before that.

I suspect the reason that they only attend 1 out of 4 mountain jobs is more to do with lack of NVG capability as most calls for missing walkers come late in the day.

Also, regardless of helicopter size, if the mountain is in cloud (as they mostly are in Ireland) you can’t achieve terribly much. Small helicopters possess no greater magical skills than big ones.

It sounds like Irish MR are filled with as many helicopter “experts” as UK MR

air pig - the prooblem is the S-61 is a bit bigger than the Sea King and didn't have RAF pilots flying it:E

The RN/FAA flew non-NVG mountains for many years up North in Prestwick.

There are mountains up there...?https://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/evil.gifhttps://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/evil.gifhttps://www.pprune.org/images/smilies/evil.gif

The definition for "mountain flying" typically begins at the 4k' elevation on this side of the pond....

True Gordy but the steepness of the terrain, and peaks proximity to each other plus the full force of the Atlantic winds and weather make the UK mountains very nasty places to fly, especially in the dark. As you well know being an ex-pat:ok:

100% Agree..... Just taunting as one does....It would have been "rude not too", as they say.. :E:):ok:

Crab,

does that mean the RN SAR crews were better and more capable than those girlie RAF pilots with there sissy NVGs?

[Removes gloves.]

If I were doing MR in Ireland, I think my priorities would be rather different from those that have recently been highlighted.

Something like:
1. Sack all the muppets who have been messing up NVIS intro and find somebody who knows what they're doing and will get on with it. :ugh:
2. Get a contractor with advanced communications skills. :oh:
3. Establish a robust system for safe winching of SAR stakeholder stretchers. :eek:
4. Learn to love a stable winching platform with oodles of power margin. :ok:

Equatorial bunkum to us in the sub-arctic environment. :cool:

57N

P3 Once they had got bored of scaring themselves and realised that operating in their very old-fashioned way was too much like hanging on to outdated traditions - my RAF colleagues went to Gannet to teach them NVG:ok::)

The RN SAR boys sucked the hind tit when it came to the introduction of technology thanks to their leadership. The RAF were way ahead with NVG and FLIR.:ok:

Yes, I'm sure we'd never have guessed, Crab! Thanks for that update from the front line of inter-service rivalry. :rolleyes:

Returning to the Irish question, is it just coincidence that the Air Corps are operating smaller helicopters?

Crab dear boy.....The Navy has traditions....the RAF has habits as it is still too young to have formed true traditions.:=

Ah SAS, but one can change a habit when it is no longer appropriate or suitable - far less so when tradition is involved:ok::)

Jimf671 - I still work in an (ex) tri service environment so banter and inter-service rivalry is just part of normal working routine:ok:

Statement from MRI Facebook page:

Mountain Rescue Ireland
Statement on the Mountain Rescue Ireland's submission to the IRCG with reference to the helicopter provision for the Irish State.

Who are we?
We are an organisation comprising 11 mountain rescue teams, made up exclusively of 400 trained volunteers.
Our rescue teams respond to requests for emergency assistance on every mountain on the island of Ireland both north and south 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
In 2019 - 14,444 volunteer hours were spent on 345 rescue callouts.
In 2020 – 9,695 volunteer hours (due to infection control) were spent on 330 rescue callouts.
In Ireland we work with our emergency partners from An Garda Siochana, PSNI, the Irish Coast Guard and the National Ambulance Service to rescue those that have been lost and injured on our hills and mountains. Sadly, on occasions we return loved ones who have passed away to their families.
We are a charity company limited by guarantee.

What do we do?
We serve our communities by:
· Encouraging and assisting in the formation, training and development of mountain rescue teams.
· Promoting mountain safety and awareness.
· Assess the needs and requirements of mountain rescue services in Ireland.
Mountain Rescue Ireland is a proud member of the International Commission for Alpine Rescue ICAR

Our partners.
We are proud to work alongside our emergency service partners in the Irish Coast Guard, CHC Helicopter Crews and the Irish Air Corps. There is no doubt that the exceptional levels of cooperation and collaboration that exist has saved lives.
Any attempt by external commentators to fracture/damage that relationship is an attempt to diminish our ability to serve our communities. We will not allow that to happen.

The Report.
Mountain Rescue Ireland was invited by Irish Coast Guard in 2019 to provide input to an expert group to review IRCG helicopter rescue service for the Irish State.
Mountain Rescue Ireland provided input in a report format based on helicopter operations from a mountain rescue perspective.
Mountain Rescue Ireland are fully aware that those involved in managing the procurement / tender process have to take a wide range of factors into account including those of multiple stakeholders, a wide range of international treaties as well as ensuring best value for the taxpayer.
MRI's input into the report has been leaked and is being used selectively by others to suit another agenda. MRI are concerned that this misrepresentation of its position creates the risk of damaging excellent relationships that exist within the Irish SAR community and would call on those parties to stop mis-representing MRI's position.
MRI has not and will not play any part in furthering the agenda of those behind this unhelpful, ill-considered act. We hope that those whose interests are not aligned with this will reflect and re-evaluate where their interests lie. We will continue working AS A TEAM with our SAR partners and rescuing those who find themselves in need of our help.

On behalf of:
The Board of Mountain Rescue Ireland
The National Executive Committee of Mountain Rescue Ireland
The Teams of Mountain Rescue Ireland.

You would think they are talking about the difference between a B747 and a C152, not a couple of metres (ok. 4.22m) between an S92 and AW139

Is it just me or are they crying victim . They wrote the report , they haven’t retracted it and are claiming they are being misrepresented .

Heli crews now know the truth and still have to work with these gortex warriors.

They wrote input for the report and they stand by that input. What they are claiming is that people with a separate agenda are selectively quoting from that input, without full context, in order to further a different agenda. I would not call that "playing victim".

Your "Gortex Warrior" comment shows exactly why they are right to be worried about the effect of this selective use of information.