Written Answers. - Air Accident Investigations.
Jack Wall
Question:
109
Mr. Wall
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the plans he has to act on the recommendations of the final report of the air accident investigation unit into the crash of the Dauphin helicopter at Tramore, County Waterford, with the loss of four Air Corps personnel; his views on whether there should be an investigation into the maritime circumstances which gave rise to the mission and the prolonging of it; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22021/00]
Jack Wall
Question:
117
Mr. Wall
asked the
Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources
the plans he has to act on the recommendations of the final report of the air accident investigation unit into the crash of the Dauphin helicopter at Tramore, County Waterford, with the loss of four Air Corps personnel; his views on whether there should be a review of the aviation expertise and training requirements for personnel involved in search and rescue air assets; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[22020/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 117 together.
A thorough examination of the final report of the air accident investigation unit of the Department of Public Enterprise into Accident DH 248/Rescue 111 Tramore, 2 July 2000 has taken place in my Department. The recommendations that relate specifically to the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources are as follows:
4.14.The emergency services, including the fire service, including regional airport fire-crews, An Garda Síochána, IMES coastal teams, mountain rescue teams and RNLI lifeboat crews should be made fully aware of and trained to deal with the potential hazards to rescue personnel associated with sites of serious aircraft accidents. (SR 24 of 2000)
4.15.A formal service level agreement should be put in place between the Air Corps and the Irish Coast Guard defining the precise responsibilities and deliverables of both parties. (SR 25 of 2000)
4.16.For future SAR bases at airports-aerodromes, a service level agreement between the operator and the airport authorities should be put in place before operations are commenced. This should clearly identify the level of support services to be provided. (SR 26 of 2000)
4.21.The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources should review the aviation expertise and training requirements for personnel involved in the tasking of SAR air assets. (SR 31 of 2000)
4.22.The Department of the Marine and Natural Resources should conduct an investigation into the maritime circumstances which gave rise to the mission and also to the prolonging of the mission. (SR 32 of 2000)
4.25.The relevant operators should ensure that future new, or significantly changed, SAR operations are the subject of a work-up period prior to the commencement of full operations. (SR 35 of 2000)
The following is the response of my Department to the recommendations which relate to it following the numbering set out in the report:
Recommendation 4.14. My Department has in place training programmes for Coast Guard units in dealing with hazardous situations. This training is being upgraded in the case of serious aircraft accidents. Last weekend, the chief fire officer at Shannon Airport delivered a lecture on the subject of downed aircraft search and rescue techniques at the Coast Guard area officers' annual conference in Limerick.
Recommendation 4.15. My Department accepts the need for formalising current relationships and such agreements will be put in place as soon as possible.
Recommendation 4.16. My Department in its contract relationships with private operators ensures that appropriate agreements to the Department's satisfaction are in place between service providers and airport authorities. It should be noted that the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources is not a party to relationships between the Air Corps and airport authorities.
Recommendation 4.21. My Department has an ongoing training and review programme in place which encompasses, inter alia, aviation requirements. However, a thorough review of aviation requirements will be instituted.
Recommendation 4.22. The maritime circumstances that gave rise to the rescue mission are well known and documented. Unfortunately these types of circumstances are all too common despite continuing intensive media and publicity campaigns led by my Department assisted by the RNLI, Irish Water Safety, Civil Defence, CIL and sporting, fishing and various representative organisations. The chief marine surveyor has advised that a formal investigation is not required as all the details are already available. The level of call-out to assist leisure craft in difficulty is more than 300 annually. A key aim of my Department is to bring about a fundamental change in safety culture.
In June of this year, legislation governing the use of recreational craft was enacted as part of the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act, 2000. I signed the commencement order for section 44 in August and the regulations governing the use of powered recreational craft are currently being worked on. A draft of the proposed regulations should be forwarded to those involved in the consultation process shortly.
The regulations will have both national and local application. At national level, there will be regulations on age restrictions, the carriage and use of safety equipment and the consumption of alcohol or drugs. I fully expect that this work will lead to better knowledge of, and respect for, the hazards of going to sea. The carriage of safety equipment, more information and, in general, a more professional approach to seagoing will work to reduce recourse to the rescue services.
Recommendation 4.25. My Department has to be satisfied when taking on private contractors that they will be fully capable and proficient in providing the required service from date of contract. The relationship with the Air Corps is not a contractual one and proficiency of crews and assets is primarily a matter for the military authorities.
My Department is working closely with the Department of Defence to ensure immediate and sustained action on the implementation of recommendations made in the report.
