A Tour of the Solent Coast Gaurd SAR Operation
13 of us met up at Solent Coastgaurd with the Kennet and Newbury RIB's in tow on a mild Friday morn to be greeted by a cheerful Coastguard chappee (I forget his name) who then proceeded to escort us across the Airfield to the Helicopter Unit upon arriving was greeted by cups of hot tea and coffee with the odd biscuit, although they were devoured so quickly, I never managed to grab one in time.
We then met the whole team of the Helicopter Station and proceeded to have an intellectual discussion concerning the methods of search and recovery and what we can do as divers to assist with this process if one was is the unenviable position of needing to be recovered. This was followed by a tour around the Helicopter and then a quick drill of lifting Simon (yes, Simon was the lucky one pulled out of a hat) from the ground to the Helicopter via the winch, in preparation for the real exercise to follow. Before departing for the exercise, we thanked the team for the opportunity to learn much more about the SAR Teams and how they operate. This is a 24/7 operation covering the Solent area during the day and covering Portlands patch as far south as Cornwall during the night.
Onto the exercise and both Newbury and Kennet were launched with great anticipation (it's amazing how fast we can get these and the teams in the water, given a little incentive). We then proceeded to wait on station for the Helicopter and the local rescue RIB which Simon was transferred to from Newbury. All three RIB's then proceeded South so that we would have a good run North (into the wind). At which point the Helicopter flew over and dropped the Winchman down onto the RIB, tethered and bound Simon and then proceeded to lift both the Winchman and Simon up into the Helicopter with great precision and ease, with both Newbury and Kennet remaining off port with multiple camera clicks and Dave's (non-waterproof) video camera going 10 to the dozen. We then returned to the slip and de-kitted, and then had lunch.
The afternoon was spent in the SAR Control Centre and looking at the method by which they monitor and respond to channels 16 & 67. The techniques and systems they use on a daily basis to co-ordinate SAR activities. This was meant to be a 40 min session, but because of the attentive audience and multitude of questions turned into two 2 hr sessions. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and took away many important lessons on not just reducing the risks of using the SAR Team, but to also maximise the time to scene effectiveness in a SAR scenario. We thanked all that were involved and were very grateful for the opportunity to visit and participate in the operation which we rely upon in case of an emergency.
We then met the whole team of the Helicopter Station and proceeded to have an intellectual discussion concerning the methods of search and recovery and what we can do as divers to assist with this process if one was is the unenviable position of needing to be recovered. This was followed by a tour around the Helicopter and then a quick drill of lifting Simon (yes, Simon was the lucky one pulled out of a hat) from the ground to the Helicopter via the winch, in preparation for the real exercise to follow. Before departing for the exercise, we thanked the team for the opportunity to learn much more about the SAR Teams and how they operate. This is a 24/7 operation covering the Solent area during the day and covering Portlands patch as far south as Cornwall during the night.
Onto the exercise and both Newbury and Kennet were launched with great anticipation (it's amazing how fast we can get these and the teams in the water, given a little incentive). We then proceeded to wait on station for the Helicopter and the local rescue RIB which Simon was transferred to from Newbury. All three RIB's then proceeded South so that we would have a good run North (into the wind). At which point the Helicopter flew over and dropped the Winchman down onto the RIB, tethered and bound Simon and then proceeded to lift both the Winchman and Simon up into the Helicopter with great precision and ease, with both Newbury and Kennet remaining off port with multiple camera clicks and Dave's (non-waterproof) video camera going 10 to the dozen. We then returned to the slip and de-kitted, and then had lunch.
The afternoon was spent in the SAR Control Centre and looking at the method by which they monitor and respond to channels 16 & 67. The techniques and systems they use on a daily basis to co-ordinate SAR activities. This was meant to be a 40 min session, but because of the attentive audience and multitude of questions turned into two 2 hr sessions. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves and took away many important lessons on not just reducing the risks of using the SAR Team, but to also maximise the time to scene effectiveness in a SAR scenario. We thanked all that were involved and were very grateful for the opportunity to visit and participate in the operation which we rely upon in case of an emergency.
posted by NSAC BLOGGER. at 2:11 PM
