The relationship between the RNLI and the Sea King helicopters of the RAF's Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre has proved vital in many rescue missions.

James Ferguson visited RAF Kinloss to find out more about this highly effective operationOuring the course of each year, literally hundreds of TV, radio and press reports will sffectively begin 'An RNLI lifeboat, together with an RAF (or Royal Navy) helicopter, is...'. It is largely assumed that the audience understands the way lifeboat and helicopter work together in the rescue attempt. As might be expected, the RNLI's reputation is such that there can be little public unawareness of its task, but otherwise the availability of military helicopter assistance appears to be widely taken for granted. Even less is known about their locations, activities and capabilities or the responsibilities of their controlling agency.

Set up to save airmen in WW2 Back in 1941 there was a growing awareness that existing, and all too often ad hoc, search and rescue (SAR) arrangements were not totally satisfactory. In response to these concerns, the Royal Air Force set up a dedicated SAR organisation to provide assistance to distressed military aircrew.

By the end of World War Two its various maritime and land-based elements, the former regularly assisted by RNLI lifeboats, had aided no less than 8,000 military personnel and 5,000 civilians. Its success was such that at the end of hostilities a decision was made to retain the two existing rescue coordination centres. One was located at Mount Batten, Plymouth, and the other at Pitreavie Castle, near Dunfermline. These two centres were combined within a brand new stateof- the-art facility at RAF Kinloss. Morayshire, in December 1997.appears known During the author's recent visit, Wing Commander Bob Lander RAF, officer commanding the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC) explained 'Although our primary task, and that of the six RAF SAR helicopter flights, still remains one of assisting military personnel, this activity typically only accounts for some 5% of our work.

The remainder of our activities are focused on civilians. Very simply put, our function is to save lives through providing round-theclock helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and RAF mountain rescue teams.

Including the UK mainland and islands, we are responsible for supporting SAR operations within an area extending from the Faeroes in the north, the middle of the North Sea, through the English Channel and out to 30° longitude west in mid-Atlantic.' Cooperation and coordination The RAF team, assisted by civilian radio operators, typically handles some 2,000 incidents annually, involving the recovery of some 1,500 people from all kinds of incidents. The team members come from a wide range of Air Force backgrounds, and have a wealth of experience in initiating and coordinating air and ground assets, and when necessary, providing military air assistance to the civil agencies in emergencies. They monitor the search and rescue satellite system (COSPAS/SARSAT) and initiate and coordinate the appropriate responses. In addition, they coordinate all military SAR assets involved in civil or military aircraft incidents within the UK SAR region.

When there is a request from say the Coastguard for military helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft to resolve an afloat problem, the Coastguard's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre or Sub-centre in question calls the ARCC under the terms of long-established and well-tested procedures. The ARCC then passes the details on to the most suitable SAR helicopter unit, which may be either Royal Navy or RAF, and a Sea King helicopter is scrambled. These are held at 15 minutes' readiness by day and 45 minutes by night. If there is a major incident, then a second aircraft may also be sent, as well as one or more from other units.

The Coastguard also have four contracted SAR helicopter units with Bristow Sikorsky S-61Ns under their direct control and similar reaction criteria, so if there is a military problem intheir operational area, then the ARCC requests their assistance in return. Fixed-wing support is provided in the form of a dedicated Nimrod maritime reconnaissance aircraft from Kinloss, this loaded, crewed, pre-flighted and ready to go at one hour's notice. Should they need additional assistance, then they can call on additional British service air or maritime assets, perhaps those on exercise in the area.

In a major incident the ARCC can, and does on occasion, contact foreign colleagues, as in search and rescue there are no international frontiers.

There are also regular exchange visits to swap ideas and information.

Satellite support The centre also handles calls from the various distress satellites. This a fairly complex subject, but effectively involves two international systems working off beacons carried by ships, aircraft or people. The system is well worth consideration by yachtsmen and other seafarers in smaller craft as amost useful tool in time of trouble when there may be no access to a radio.

However, as the majority of alerts are false alarms the beacons should be handled with circumspection: make a definite point of always reading and understanding the installation and servicing instructions- Cutting edge technology Currently, the RAF maintains two SARdedicated squadrons, comprising six helicopter flights, all equipped with either the Westland Sea King HAR3 or HAR3A.

These purpose-built military aircraft carry a crew of four, consisting of two pilots, a radar/winch operator and a winchman; the latter normally paramedic trained. They are equipped with a highly sophisticated avionics package plus night vision goggles. The helicopters cruise at around 120 knots and have a typical operational radius of almost 300 miles. The 75m winch cable can lift up to three adults at one time, and the aircraft capacity is up to 18 passengers.

These work alongside two Royal Navy units, each equipped with a role-fitted variant of the Westland Sea King HAS5. Royal Navy aircraft details are similar to the RAF's but the winchman is a diver and operational radius is slightly smaller.

Coastguard units are all equipped with specialist versions of contracted (Bristow} Sikorsky S-61N and use the last two letters of their civil registrations as callsign. Coastguard aircraft details are similar to military, but have a longer cabin allowing them to carry up to 30 passengers.

Safety is no accident Asked for a safety message for this feature, Wing Commander Lander noted: • Be sensible • Be seamanlike • Stay within your capabilities and that of your boat • Watch the weather and the tide • Teil the coastguard who you are and what you are doing • Plan ahead • If in doubt stay ashore or at a mooring • Carry a radio and a beacon • Don't rely on mobile phones • Day/night distress flares are a must • If it does all go wrong for some reason, just as you would with a lifeboat do as the helicopter crew tells you - they have a wealth of experience and are there to solve your problems. Search and Rescue helicopters RAF 22 Squadron A Flight Chivenor (HQ) B Flight Wattisham C Flight Valley 202 Squadron A Flight Boulmer (HQ) D Flight Lossiemouth E Flight Leconfield When engaged on operational Wessex from Northern Ireland callsign Rescue 140 Rescue 169/170 Rescue 125/126 Rescue 122/123 Rescue 131/132 Rescue 137/138 Rescue 128/129 SAR tasks, RAF (Aldergrove) uses the Royal Navy 771 Naval Air Squadron Culdrose. Cornwall 819 Naval Air Squadron Prestwick, Ayrshire Rescue 193/194 Rescue 177/178 819 NAS disbanding late 2001. but SAR asset to remain Coastguard Sumburgh, Shetland Stornoway, Isle of Lewis Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire Portland, Dorset Ireland Irish Air Corps Irish Air Corps Irish Coast Guard Irish Coast Guard Rescue Oscar Charlie Rescue Lima Charlie Rescue Mike Uniform Rescue Victor Alpha Rescue India Juliet Rescue Hotel Lima Firmer, Co. Donegal Waterford Airport Dublin Airport Shannon AirportAeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre 1. RAFKinloss Search and Rescue Units 2. RAF Lossiemouth 3. RAF Valley 4. RAF Boulmer 5. Chivenor 6. Leconfield 7. WattishamLifeboats -v- Helicopters Helicopters and lifeboats work very closely together in sea rescue, but neither can replace the other. There are jobs which one can perform better than the other; equally there are times when both are needed. Joint exercises ensure that sea rescue is improved, whichever vehicle performs the task.

Lifeboats • can stay at sea for long periods • able 10 tow • effective in bad weather and at night • nigh carrying capacity • high-speed reaction to • local incidents able to reach some casualties quicker able to make safer approaches in certain circumstances high speed long rangeGrateful thanks to Wing Commander Bob Lander RAF, service and civil personnel at ARCC Kinloss and Mike Mulford, RAF press officer Scotland.

The author is a former member of the Aberdeen lifeboat crew, currently the local branch media relations officer and a journalist and broadcaster who specialises in search and rescue matters..