So the contract has now been awarded for SAR services from 2015 to 2026. What are your thoughts? Good points, bad points etc.
Good
New fleet of very capable helos (according to the news)
Bad
Loss of skills in the services
Loss of jobs / future careers
Lack of accountability maybe. Answer to shareholders rather than government.
I think it’s a great shame to see the end of a standing military SAR within the country.
Further points:
Which other nations across the world have commercial companies running helo SAR, as opposed to being by the military/CG/Police? I seriously hope we’re not the first/only…
The MRTs: so is that the end of them, post-2016, as well? And the RCC system as existing?
Does this mean the only military winchmen will be RN personnel off carriers etc, or not even? Is there still to be some form of RAF CSAR retained or not?
-‘Marinised Merlin’…is it in any real way able to do sea SAR? Had heard of the concept, not recently though.
Will be the end of a massive chunk of RAF mission and presence when it goes. We’ll effectively see Civil Aid to the Military Power, versus MACP.
And have the got Bristows on any form of Sponsored Reserves contract, I wonder? If not, why?
wilf_san
A lot (if not all) of the SAR crews are already ex. Services
At this rate we’ll have an air force that doesn’t own its own aircraft, or employ its own airmen.
It’ll probably go the way of most “initiatives” of this type - going disasterously wrong and costing a lot more in the long run than existing arrangements.
who will pay when little Jonny breaks his leg half way up snowdon and has to be winched off. Will be all need insurance to go walking in the hills just in case things to t*ts up.
On a related note, Bristow are currently recruiting for apprentice helicopter engineers. 8 places available, closing date for apps 30th April. A very attractive package on offer, starting salary circa £20k and assistance with accommodation for first 2 years. Potential earnings post apprenticeship £30k to £95k. No upper age limit for applications, I know of one chap who finished in his 30’s. Pass on to any cadets/staff interested.
https://bristowgroup.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=31240&lang=en
tbf the old CG SAR crews were a private company, just contracted directly to MCA instead of the Dept of Transport
Don’t worry, at this rate it won’t be long til pongos are privatised too 
This is going to be a fantastic improvement to the service currently provided. Most of the crews will be taken directly from the RAF/RN and existing Coastguard crews. The Seaking is a great helicopter but its time is up, it is no longer reliable and is becoming harder to keep servicable.
The ARCC at Kinloss will be no more, the Coastguard will take over this function - Kinloss only has a very limited co-ordination role anyway, the majority of jobs either being co-ordinated by the Coastguard or Police.
Good luck to Bristows 
Coastie, I’m presuming from your user id that you’ve got some insider perspectives on this, and that’s very good. I’ll admit to being totally-biased in favour of the RAF, so perhaps I’m being unrealistic. Can you please put some more meat on the bones of how you say it’s “going to be a fantastic improvement on the service currently provided”? In what ways? Response times? Areas of cover? Accountability? I’m not being awkward, I’m genuinely puzzled.
Granted, the Sea King is old and tired. The reduction in the number of operational RAF stations (coupled with the losses years ago of all the 22 Sqn detached flights) I suppose these are all contributory factors.
But coming back at your positivity: I thought the CG were undergoing a big reduction in the number of control rooms, along with merged geographic areas of responsibility? Also (and I do mean this in as constructive a way as I can say it), surely the Coastguard service is primarily experienced/capable in connection with maritime/naval SAROPS, and not aeronautical?? Feel free to tell me I’m living in the past- maybe the function of the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre that’s still at the former RAF Kinloss is already covered by the CG in practice. If it is, I’d be surprised (eg all SARSAT info, military rescue response, NATO liaison etc)
And again, what about the MRTs? All these masses of experienced and capable personnel, and their kit. Does that continue to exist, but now under the C2 of the Coastguard? I can (and will if I have to) ask that question formally, if no-one here’s got an answer already. It’d be such a shame to see that expertise and commitment lost.
wilf_san
The improvement comes with the new helicopters, although the AW 189 has still to be proven, however, they are much faster, modern and will all have standard equipment e.g. all will have Thermal Imaging - which the RN does not have now and all will be NVG capable - which the Coastguard does not have just now.
The Seaking is a great aircraft but it is time to move on. The service provided by the RAF/RN has been brilliant as well, however, remember, it is the Military who wanted to move away from SAR.
The Coastguard are having a large reduction in the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres, some of which are sensible some are questionable, how this will pan out still has to be seen. You are quite right in saying that the Coastguard is primarily maritime experienced, however, training will be provided for the ARCC role, along with bringing all the experience of the aviation people already there together. Bear in mind, the Coastguard already coordinate aviation incidents involving civil aircraft over water, e.g. the numerous Super Puma ditchings in the North Sea in the past few years etc. The Police coordinate civil aircraft incidents over the land. The ARCC only coordinates military incidents, however, if they occur over the water, will usually pass primacy to the Coastguard. The beacon alerts will also go to the Coastguard, most of which already do, after initial processing at Kinloss.
I have no information on the MRTs, however, I would think they will be staying.