UK Coastguard

Seeing the plot of the Coastguard King Air patrolling north Cornwall brought this to my notice

www.gov.uk/government/news/shortlist-of-...-and-rescue-aviation

Shortlist of bidders announced for the next decade of Coastguard search and rescue aviation
The shortlist of companies being invited to tender for the next generation of search and rescue aviation has been announced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

With a contract award of 2022 and commencement of 2024
UKSARG2

I see SERCO and see fingers in too many pies, plus experience of shoddy IT support with an SLA of three days and a cost far in excess of the old in house team which had an SLA of hours. Just saying!

I also hope that whoever decides ensures that deal hooks are set in stone and that costs don't creep up due to "unexpected" circumstances, hours after the ink has dried. It is a real shame our Coastguard have to use rent-a-mob for air support rather than run it themselves.

I think the current "UKSARG1" contract uses Bristows for Helicopters and 2Excel for fixed wing.

I assume the current and future contracts are funded by the government via the Coastguard, as they don't charge for their services - yet!

It is also confusing with the apparent crossover of some elements with other agencies, RNLI, Border Force, HMRC, Coast Watch and probably others.

It would also be interesting to see the financials on the move from military supported SAR to wholly commercial.

Peter wrote:

I assume the current and future contracts are funded by the government via the Coastguard, as they don't charge for their services - yet!

It is also confusing with the apparent crossover of some elements with other agencies, RNLI, Border Force, HMRC, Coast Watch and probably others.

It would also be interesting to see the financials on the move from military supported SAR to wholly commercial.

Is it Coastguard or MCA?

RNLI is a voluntary organisation so not under government control.

Similarly Coast Watch is a voluntary organisation.

I think Border Force are part of the Home Office and are there to provide a free ferry service for illegal immigrants

HMRC have a different function but they presumably cooperate with Border Force and share intelligence.

Do they actually charge each other for services rendered. Bean counters love everyone charging everyone else for everything.

An ex-police friend told me some years ago that they used to use the London Ambulance Service for medical backup during firearms operation but the LAS started charging them and even then they did not guarantee the ambulance would remain at the location and often sent them on other jobs so they started using the military.

Government contract uses the latest technology for search and rescue

There is going to be a helicopter based at Carlisle and another at Fort William, each Summer for 12 hours each day. Presume the airport at Carlisle but no details yet about where the Fort William one will be.

Some other changes as well.