Vol. 416 No. 2
85 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that arising from an electricity power failure in the Blacksod-Aughlear area of County Mayo, air-sea rescue helicopters could not be refuelled at the helipad there; if he will now have arrangements made to provide a standby generator there; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I am aware that due to a lightning storm a large area around Blacksod was without electricity from 15.00 hours on 15 February to 14.00 hours on 16 February and again from 16.22 hours to 17.40 hours.
At 14.25 hours on 16 February 1992 Malin Head coast radio station reported to Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre at Shannon that a Spanish fishing vessel had an injured crewman on board. The vessel was in the UK SAR region, approximately 200 miles north-west of Blacksod, 210 miles north-west of Carrickfin. The CG S6IN helicopter was tasked for the incident and routed via Banbecula Military Airfield in the Western Isles. The incident was successfully concluded.
No request was made to refuel at Blacksod on this occasion.
As my predecessor has already stated, in the event of any helicopter not being able to land at Blacksod due to power failure or otherwise, alternative good back-up refuelling facilities can be arranged, on request, at Connaught, Sligo and Carrickfin airports and Finner Camp.
The Electricity Supply Board are monitoring electricity outages in the Blacksod area for my Department. This information will form part of the ongoing assessment of search and rescue facilities.
