§ Mr. Costainasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many times in the last three years has the helicopter stationed at Manston been used to assist in sea rescue operations; and how many persons have been rescued thereby.
§ Mr. ReynoldsFully detailed records are available only for the two years to 31st March, 1969. During this period Manston helicopters took part in sea rescue operations on 100 occasions and 47 people were brought ashore. The following is an analysis of these incidents:
A. Use of a helicopter probably essential for the saving of life (8 lives involved) 6 B. Helicopter used to bring people ashore, but this not essential for the saving of life (39 persons involved) 16 C. Rescue already effected by other means 22 D. Other rescue facilities available when the helicopter arrived and no rescue action therefore required. 11 E. Persons believed to be in danger but not so when helicopter arrived 20 F. Drifting wreckage or empty boats adrift 5 G. Abortive Searches 14 H. False Alarms 5 I. Malicious Hoaxes 1 100