I’m not really sure how I should feel about this deal to outsource search and rescue operations away from our military to American contractors.
I know that whoever does such a vital job shouldn’t matter as long as lives are being saved and not endangered by this move.
I can’t help wondering what’s in it for the Yanks. Obviously they’re doing it to make money, but how? Are they gonna charge anyone they rescue? Will it be like American hospitals in that if you have no insurance you get nothing?
Worrying times. If anyone knows more than I’ve heard on the radio I’d be pleased to hear it.
It will be the UK government funding them without a doubt.Why they couldn’t leave the search and rescue teams alone is beyond me.They don’t care about the livelihoods of the people in the area’s such as RAF Valley who will lose out.Not all will travel to Caernarvon.
Its the old story,if it ain’t broke why fix it !!
The Sea King helicopter used by the RAF in air sea rescue has been in service for up to 40 years and as such is out of date but still highly effective. How the hell these tossers in power think that a foreign outfit can do it any better or cheaper than what we have now is beyond me. They got rid of most of the big salvage tugs stationed around our coasts so thank God the RNLI is completely self funding otherwise that would go as well, just like the rest of ‘Great’ Britain.
Speaking as a part time (lately) seagoing bloke who years ago got lifted off a ship by helicopter due to sickness I think it’s a bloody disgrace.
if i paid the reported £1.6bn for work? i would be expecting to make a return on my investment,…so who is gonna pay ■■?
The RAF Search and Rescue have always went out for yachtsmen and mountaineers as a training exercise.They will still have to train so I cant see where the savings are.The whole point of it was to pick up downed air crew,more chipping away at once Great Britain.
The way I see it is £1.6 billion is going out of the country to further the profits of an American company, all that will remain in Britain is the crumbs they pay their British employees.
Why has no MP queried the cost to the country of letting the Forces carry on with this service compared with “outsourcing” costs?
And another thing, is there a more weasle word than outsourcing when it comes to laying off loyal workers?
Rant over!
Follow the money…it will lead back to some oleaginous public school twart in Westminster…
raymundo:
The Sea King helicopter used by the RAF in air sea rescue has been in service for up to 40 years and as such is out of date but still highly effective. How the hell these tossers in power think that a foreign outfit can do it any better or cheaper than what we have now is beyond me. They got rid of most of the big salvage tugs stationed around our coasts so thank God the RNLI is completely self funding otherwise that would go as well, just like the rest of ‘Great’ Britain.
Speaking as a part time (lately) seagoing bloke who years ago got lifted off a ship by helicopter due to sickness I think it’s a bloody disgrace.
Raymundo
I see from some of your posts you spent time in North suffolk/Norfolk and being a mariner i thought this may be of interest to you. It has been announced that Great Yarmouth coastguard station is going to close this May and Humber and Thames coastguard stations are going to cover the area instead.
Regards
Daz