Vol. 501 No. 6
128 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the proposals, if any, he has to change marine rescue procedures following an accident (details supplied) off the south coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7099/99]
This question refers to standard operational procedures applicable in the medical evacuation of a fisherman with an eye injury from the MFV Nozdie on 21 January, 1999 and the inaccurate media reports following the incident. The Air Corps helicopter was on the ground at Waterford Airport when the incident commenced for the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCCD) Dublin, and it had earlier that morning carried out training flights in the Waterford area. The standard operational reporting procedure between the MRCC Dublin and rescue resources (whether helicopter, lifeboat, coastal teams, rescue boat, etc.) requires a 15 minute updating of location and if this is not forthcoming MRCC must call the resource. Arising from the incident and in order to improve communications, IMES Coast Radio Stations were reminded on 30 January 1999 to ensure the normal 15 minute reporting and monitoring checks with all four Irish SAR helicopters on operational and training missions were carried out.
129 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the helicopter rescue service provided to cover the south coast; where the helicopters are based; the average flying time from base to Cork city; the plans, if any, he has to improve the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7139/99]
Given their speed of travel, marine emergency response helicopters are regional assets available to respond to emergencies in any part of the Irish search and rescue region. When a marine emergency is notified to the Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Dublin and a helicopter response is deemed necessary by the duty search and rescue mission co-ordinator, the most appropriate, available helicopter is tasked to respond to the emergency. Marine emergency helicopters are base-located so that they can reach, by day 40 nautical miles off-shore in one hour, and by night or in bad weather, 100 nautical in two hours.
