UK Sea King SAR
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The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) provide a 24-hour military and civil helicopter Search and Rescue (SAR) service for the UK and local regions from 12 bases, typically at 15 minutes notice. At present, this SAR helicopter service is provided by Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Mk 5 Sea Kings and civilian helicopters under contract to the MCA, though other British forces are equipped for these tasks in emergencies.

DID has covered innovative approaches to Coast Guard and SAR functions, including Australia’s billion-dollar Coastwatch program and a CASR think-tank proposal re: a similar approach for Canada’s Coast Guard. Now Great Britain is jumping into the fray with a related approach.

In line with its extensive public/private partnering background and penchant for long term deals, The UK’s Ministry of Defence and Department for Transport are moving the Joint Search and Rescue – Helicopter (SAR-H) Project into its next stage as a GBP 1 billion ($1.89 billion at current conversion) joint MOD/MCA Private Finance Initiative competition in cooperation with the MCA.

Britain’s Mk 5 Sea Kings are 40-50 years old. They have been upgraded several times, and the Sea King is renowned for its extreme stability and precision (a recent TV feature had a SAR rescuer lowered down to a man holding a champagne glass in place, whereupon the rescuer successfully poured a glass of champagne while the helicopter hovered). Nevertheless, the MoD must replace the SAR helicopter fleet soon. Faced with these recapitalization costs, the decision to examine a public/ private partnership approach is understandable.

A joint MCA and MOD Integrated Project Team (SAR-H IPT) based at DPA Abbey Wood, has been tasked with implementing this future UK SAR helicopter capability.

The service will continue to be managed jointly by the MOD and the MCA, and a detailed requirement specification has been developed. Decisions regarding helicopters, basing and contract duration have yet to be taken, and key performance indicators will be set as part of the contract agreement. All of this is being proposed as the UK government begins a debate about the proper role of the rescue services – including whether they should be given a direct role to help deal with inland emergencies when rescue workers need rapid access.

The Financial Times reports that the contract is expected to run from 2012-2032 or even 2042, and will include support services per the MoD’s “future contracting for availability” approach. They also note that the MoD believes that it is important to retain military capabilities in search and rescue, and so a significant proportion of the SAR aircrew will continue to be provided by the armed forces.

The Royal Air Force currently operates 6 of Britain’s 12 search and rescue bases (Chivenor, Wattisham, Valley, Boulmer, Leconfield and Lossiemouth), and the Royal Navy operates 2 more (771 Sqn at Culdrose and HMS Gannet at Prestwick). The MCA runs the remaining 4 (Lee-on Solent, Portland, Sumburgh and Stornoway), which Canadian-based CHC Helicopters will begin operating in July 2007 under a five-year contract worth GBP 20 million per year (CDN $42.1 million/ USD $37.7 million at current conversion). Last year (2005) saw 441 callouts and 370 people rescued via the Royal Navy’s SAR groups alone.

The MCA’s key information page regarding this solicitation notes that Falkland Islands SAR capability remains a potential option for inclusion within the harmonized program, and adds that if this idea is taken forward, information will be provided separately.

Updates:

S-92, UKMCA
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Nov 29/07: Another public-private partnership reaches into the SAR sphere, as the SKIOS through-life maintenance contract for the UK’s Sea Kings extends to search and rescue helicopters in Phase 2. See: “SKIOS for Sea Kings: Availability Contract Covers Through-Life Maintenance.”

Oct 14/07: The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency announces that the first of 4 brand-new Sikorsky S-92 helicopters (a civilian version of the H-92), configured entirely for search and rescue (SAR), completed its maiden mission today for Stornoway Coastguard. The new helicopter is being operated on behalf of the Agency by CHC Scotia, who won an interim contract that provides for commercial search and rescue helicopter services from 4 civilian-operated bases – Sumburgh, Stornoway, Lee-on-Solent and Portland – for a five-year period from July 1/07 – July 1/12. The service provides a 24 hour coverage at Stornoway, where the S-92 is based.

CHC Scotia’s helicopters are fitted with 2 internal auxiliary fuel tanks of 210 gallons each, improved AFCS with auto-hover capability, Forward looking infra red (FLIR), dual rescue hoist, bubble window, cargo hook, search-light and loud hailer. The cabin can be arranged for installing triple medical litter kits, 1-2 extra fuel tanks, folding utility seats, and/or storage. The designated operator console provides search data including FLIR. UK MCA release.

Additional Readings:

• Finnacial Times (May 10/06) – Talks To Begin Over £1bn Contract For Search And Rescue Helicopters

• UK MoD (May 9/06) – Helicopter Search and Rescue – The Next Stage

• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency – Search And Rescue – Helicopter Project.

• UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency – Search and Rescue Framework for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [PDF format]

• DID (Feb 9/06) – Britain Prepares to Outsource Royal Marine Auxilliary Service