HM Coastguard’s Search and Rescue (SAR) Helicopter base at Prestwick Airport has had a visit from Brian Whittle MSP.
The South Scotland MSP was given a tour of the sophisticated facility by Chief Pilot, Captain Craig Sweeney, one of the many members of the team who transferred over from HMS Gannet when the UK’s search and rescue helicopter arrangements were reformed, replacing the mix of military and civilian services with a single UK wide civilian contract, awarded to Bristow Helicopters Ltd.
The £7.1 million building at Prestwick is one of four Coastguard SAR bases in Scotland. It’s home to two state of the art Leonardo AW189 helicopters that each cost around £20 million. But the building isn’t just home to the helicopters. For the flight crews, who are mostly ex-military and work 24-hour “on call” shifts, it’s a home away from home, with sleeping accommodation, a kitchen and crew lounge.
Since it began operating in January 2016, Prestwick has responded to more than 800 call-outs. It was also the busiest of the 10 UK bases for the year ending March 2018.
The base’s distinctive AW189 helicopters are fitted with state of the art technology that makes them much more capable than the ageing Sea King helicopters they replaced. Among the innovations are a high definition camera system that incorporates night vision and thermal imaging technology, an ultra-bright floodlight and a highly sophisticated radar system to aid in low level and low visibility flying. All of these systems can be controlled from the cockpit, where traditional analogue instruments have been replaced by computer screens which allow the pilots to view everything from engine diagnostics to real time GPS maps during flight.
During the visit, Brian took a seat in the cockpit before Captain Sweeney took him through the range of systems on-board. The adventurous MSP even managed to get off the ground – even if it was only half a metre - thanks to the helicopter’s winch system!
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Like most people in this part of Ayrshire, I’m used to the familiar sight of the HM Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter overhead, so it was a privilege to see one on the ground and learn more about them. The new helicopters are a real technological leap forward from the Sea Kings that HMS Gannet used. But it’s the people who operate and maintain these machines who really make the difference. I was struck by the dedication and passion that everyone who works at the base has for what they do.
Prestwick has been home to a SAR helicopter in one shape or another for a long time and there’s always been great community support and appreciation for them.
I’m grateful to Captain Sweeney and his colleagues for taking the time to show me around. Especially the flight crew who had been out on a call out overnight!”