asked the Minister for Defence the reason the Air Corps was unable to respond to a request for a helicopter to assist in rescue attempts when a skipper of a fishing vessel was fatally injured off the Mayo coast in the early hours of 12 February 1988; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Air Corps Helicopter.
131.
, Limerick West): At 0600 hours on 12 February 1988 the Air Corps duty officer at Casement Aerodrome was advised by MRCC Shannon that an Air Corps helicopter might be required for a rescue off Eagle Island. An Air Corps crew was alerted and proceeded to prepare for the mission.
At 0615 hours, the Air Corps duty officer was advised by MRCC of confirmation of the SAR mission. At 0637 hours, as the crew prepared to take-off the Air Corps duty officer was advised by MRCC Shannon that the mission was cancelled.
The SAR crew call-out time is 45 minutes. The Air Corps responded to the request and would have been in the area of operation at 0830 hours, had the mission not been cancelled.