Bernard J. Durkan
Question:119 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources if he has satisfied himself as to the adequacy of the air sea rescue services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26792/98]
Written Answers. - Marine Rescue Services.
I am satisfied that the air sea rescue services available on all Irish coasts is adequate to meet current as well as projected needs at this time. The level of air sea coverage available meets both national and international standards for marine search and rescue operations.
The Deputy may be aware that in June 1996 a report was completed on the adequacy of the marine search and rescue coverage on the east coast covering the area from Carlingford Lough to Youghal and out to the boundaries between the Irish search and rescue region and the United Kingdom regions. All the recommendations made in the report have either been implemented or are in the process of being implemented. A review of the level of marine search and rescue coverage on the south and west coasts will take place in the near future as part of the strategic management initiative. However, all aspects of air service are kept under review and are upgraded or adapted, where necessary, as part of ongoing improvement of services or in response to the continuing review.
The declared helicopter facilities available to IMES are two IMES Sikorsky all-weather medium load carrying helicopters available 24 hours, based at Shannon and Dublin Airports, together with two Air Corps helicopters. One of the Air Corps helicopters is a light load-carrying Dauphin helicopter available 24 hours based at Finner, County Donegal, and the second is an Alouette helicopter based at Waterford Airport providing daylight cover for the east and south east coasts. The Waterford Airport base will be upgraded to a 24-hour Dauphin helicopter service on 1 July 1999, assuming that the crew numbers remain stable. This enhancement will complete the helicopter coverage for all Irish coasts and constitutes the implementation of one of the recommendations of the report of the review of the adequacy of the marine search and rescue coverage on the east coast.
I stress that while the IMES helicopters are based at Shannon and Dublin Airports and an Air Corps helicopter is based at Finner, they are available on a 24-hour 365 day basis for emergency response on any part of the coastline. IMES helicopter call-out response time is not more than 15 minutes between 7.30 a.m. and 9 p.m. and the Air Corps call-out response time is 15 minutes by day. All helicopters are not more than 45 minutes outside these times throughout the year. The 24 hour helicopters are positioned so that they can reach, by day, 40 nautical miles off-shore in one hour and by night or in bad weather, 100 nautical miles in two hours.
I also mention that shore coverage on the Irish coasts comprises the IMES coastal units, of which there are 50 around our coast. These units are fully equipped to respond to the risks in their area and are on call 24 hours a day. In addition, a number of other declared sea facilities are available to the IMES. These are facilities designated as being available according to a specific standard or set criteria. One of these is the RNLI which has 24 lifeboat stations around the coast. Another facility is the community inshore rescue boats of which there are six at present. The IMES can also call on the Department of Defence naval vessels and divers, the Air Corps fixed wing aircraft, the Garda and its divers and UK coastguard and all vessels at sea in a marine emergency situation.