HC Deb 04 November 1996 vol 284 cc363-5W
Ms Glenda Jackson

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what was the number of recorded maritime search and rescue operations requiring helicopter support in (i) the Dover strait, (ii) St. George's channel and (iii) the North sea over the last three years; [1054]

(2) what is the number of recorded maritime search and rescue operations occurring in (i) the Dover strait, (ii) St. George's channel and (iii) the North sea over the last three years; [1053]

(3) what was the number of recorded maritime search and rescue operations involving British military and civilian services around United Kingdom coastal waters over the last three years; [1055]

(4) if he will list (a) the number of recorded maritime search and rescue operations occurring around United Kingdom coastal waters requiring support from foreign search and rescue services over the last three years, (b) the date of those incidents, (c) the location of those incidents and (d) the nationality of those services involved; [1056]

(5) what consultation has been conducted with representatives of foreign search and rescue services over the recent changes to helicopter search and rescue cover within the United Kingdom. [1014]

Mr. Bowis

I have asked the chief executive of the Coastguard agency to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from C. J. Harris to Ms Glenda Jackson, dated 29 October 1996: The Secretary of State for Transport has asked me to reply to your recent Questions about search and rescue operations, helicopter support in those operations and recent search and rescue helicopter consultation. The number of recorded maritime search and rescue operations requiring helicopter support in the (i) Dover Strait, (ii) St George's Channel and (iii) The North sea over the last three years were:

1993 1994 1995
(i) Dover Strait 82 59 33
(ii) St. George's Channel 2 Nil 1
(iii) the North Sea 887 1,166 991
These figures represent total helicopter call-outs and do not differentiate between incidents when a helicopter was the only rescue unit from those when it participated with other rescue units, nor should they be taken to imply that a helicopter carried out an actual rescue. Dover Strait is defined as Dungeness Point to North Foreland out to the Anglo-French median line. St. George's Channel is defined as the area to the east of the Anglo-Irish median line bounded by lines drawn in the north from Arklow (Republic of Ireland) to Bardsey Island and in the south from Carnsore (Republic of Ireland) to South Bishop lighthouse. It does not include Cardigan Bay. The North Sea is defined as an area between North Foreland on the east coast to the Magnus Platform off the north-east coast of Shetland and out to the median line. The recorded number of maritime search and rescue operations occurring in the last three years for (i) Dover Strait, (b) St. George's Channel and (iii) the North Sea were:
1993 1994 1995
(i) Dover Strait 439 731 544
(ii) St. George's Channel 5 3 1
(iii) The North Sea 3,019 3,027 3,929
The number of recorded maritime search and rescue operations co-ordinated by HM Coastguard in the United Kingdom Search and Rescue Region over the last three years were:
  • 1993: 9,590
  • 1994: 10,470
  • 1995: 12,220.
 Some of these incidents will have involved the Ministry of Defence. The Agency has no records of SAR operations by the MoD other than those involving HM Coastguard. The number of recorded maritime search and rescue operations occurring around the United Kingdom coastal waters where support was supplied by foreign search and rescues services was:
  • (a)
  • 1993: Nil
  • 1994: 3
  • 1995: 6.
 The dates and locations of the incidents and nationality of the services involved were:
  • 1993
  • Nil
  • 1994
  • (b) 28 April
  • (c) Ramsgate two persons overboard from a cross channel ferry
  • (d) French
  • (b) 30 October
  • (c) Between Isle of Man and Liverpool search for downed aircraft
  • (d) Irish
  • (b) 25 August
  • (c) Ramsgate Sally Star incident
  • (d) French
    • 365
  • 1995
    1. (b) 28 January
    2. (c) Between Llandudno and Anglesey two missing persons
    3. (d) Irish
    4. (b) 9 June
    5. (c) Greencastle Auxiliary Coastguard team assisted in search at Lough Foyle
    6. (d) Irish
    7. (b) 18 June
    8. (c) Dauphine Helicopter search Lough Foyle
    9. (d) Irish
    10. (b) 15 July
    11. (c) Dungeness Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon hit
    12. (d) French
    13. (b) 10 September
    14. (c) Main Head communications support
    15. (d) Irish
    16. (b) 16 November
    17. (c) Helicopter and fixed wing aircraft search for a missing Irish Fishing Vessel Lough Foyle
    18. (d) Irish
 No consultation has been conducted with representatives of foreign search and rescue services over recent changes to helicopter cover in the United Kingdom since neither the UK nor foreign services take account of each other's coverage in determining the location of their rescue facilities. However, foreign search and rescue services are kept advised of any changes in coverage by the Coastguard Agency through regular liaison meetings.

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