Vol. 414 No. 1
124 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which military aircraft or helicopters are available to assist air-sea rescue services; if he will indicate the number of such aircraft and staff available at any one time; if such services are available on a round-the-clock basis; the average call out time for emergencies on the east coast, the south coast, the west coast; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Air Corps have the following resources dedicated for search and rescue purposes:
An Alouette III helicopter and crew of three, located at Baldonnel for daylight search and rescue operations. The response time is 15 minutes from receipt of call.
A Dauphin SA 365F helicopter and crew for four, located at Finner Camp, County Donegal, on 24 hour call for search and rescue. The response time from receipt of call is 15 minutes by day and 45 minutes by night.
Subject to serviceability and tasking, a CASA CN 235 fixed wing aircraft located at Baldonnel, primarily for fishery protection maritime patrols, is generally available for search and "top cover" for helicopters on search and rescue operations. The crew of four are on one hour call at home, after duty hours, and would be airborne in two hours.
A Dauphin helicopter will shortly be deployed to Cork primarily for operation with LE Eithne on fishery protection duties, but will be available for search and rescue operations also.
In addition to the foregoing and subject to operational commitments and serviceability, additional helicopters and fixed wing aircraft may be made available for search and rescue operations.
