Club visit to HM Coastguard Search & Rescue - St. Mawgan Wednesday 20th November 2024

Lunch was set for midday at the Cookhouse and Restaurant at Fraddon for 20 members prior to a visit to the SAR Helicopter base at Newquay Airport. The number attending was limited to twenty as this was the maximum of visitors the base could receive at one time.

After a very enjoyable lunch we made our way in convoy following Jerry to the base. Jerry had advised them in advance of those attending along with the car registrations for security purposes.

We were met there by the Station Manager and Chief pilot Mark Coupland, who took us to the briefing room, where, with with the aid of a video presentation informed those present of the workings of the base and the capabilities of the Sikorky S92 rescue helicopter.

He explained that the SAR facility was owned and run by Bristow Helicopters on behalf of HM Coastguards, taking over this area of the Country from 771 Squadron at RNAS Culdrose when that facility came to an end.

There were five bases from which the SAR Helicopters operated throughout the United Kingdom, namely Newquay, Stornoway, Sumburgh, Humberside and Caernarfon. Each operating two Sikorsky S92's. The helicopters had a range of approximately 290 miles using 1500lbs (approximately 150 gallons) of fuel per hour of operation.

The cost of each helicopter, fully kitted out for SAR was in the region of £33 million. They are equipped with the very latest technological capabilities with auto flight control systems, advanced search radar, night vision landing systems, forward looking infra-red capacity, multi frequency homing and wireless crew intercommunications systems.

The Pilots and crew have to attend bi annual training with Pilots attending rigorous training on flight simulators both in the UK and Norway.

He explained that each station in the UK was designed and constructed to be identical. Therefore crews moving from one base to another did not need to find their way around an environment that was different to the one they had been used to.

Mark was very keen to answer questions at all times, and was kept very busy with his answers. He answered all questions with his considerable knowledge and experience, and at no time did we feel we were of an inconvenience to him and his staff.

He then conducted us on a tour of the station which included showing us the facilities in place for overnight crews. We then moved to the main hanger with a very impressive view of the two incredible machines. We were allowed to inspect the helicopters at close quarters and even board them to view the impressive equipment within the helicopter.

After two very enjoyable hours basking in the knowledge that the emergency service provided by the three crews that are on constant readiness for any emergency, both on land or sea, are in the capable hands of a very experienced, brave and remarkable group of people.

Our extreme gratitude is extended to Mark and the Staff  there for their time and hospitality, on which was a very memorable afternoon.

Report & Photos by: Reg Bennett