Vol. 542 No. 1
20 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the latest position regarding the provision of a full helicopter air-sea rescue service with night-time capacity in the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23336/01]
The present position is that an Alouette 111 single engined helicopter is based at Waterford. This aircraft, because of its restriction to visual contact flight conditions, daylight only and its restricted range, is not particularly suited to offshore marine emergency helicopter cover. It is, however, well suited to mountain, cliff and close-in marine search and rescue operations conducted by daylight in visual contact flight conditions.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Alouette is in replacement on a temporary basis of the Dauphin which crashed on Tramore beach on 2 July 1999 with the tragic loss of four crewmen.
Arising from an interim measure agreed by the joint Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and Department of Defence working group, a public contract notice (pcn) has been published in the EU journal for a contract 24 hour, all-weather helicopter service to be provided at Waterford starting in July 2002 or sooner. The companies that meet the qualifying criteria have been invited to tender. The tender process will be complete by the end of 2001.
Negotiations are continuing with the existing service provider at Shannon with a view to introducing an improved interim service at Waterford early in 2002.
