Concerns have been expressed at reports that the Sligo-based Rescue 118 risks being out of operation for up to six months next year due to challenges in scheduling crew training during a changeover from one operator to another.
The base at Sligo Airport, operated on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard, is responsible for hundreds of rescue missions every year. Rescue 118 is based at the facility.
The crew training issue is a result of the planned transfer of the State’s search and rescue contract from current operator CHC to a new operator Bristow over the next year.
It is believed that Bristow, which was awarded the €800m contract by the Government this year to operate search and rescue services for 10 years, wants to take current staff for retraining in tranches beginning in February.
Sligo-Drumcliffe Municipal District Councillor Dónal Gilroy says its important that Sligo is not effected by the closure.
