Chivenor winter rescue fears end

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http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8408892.stm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Chivenor winter rescue fears end
RMB Chivenor
Fears remain about the long-term future of the service

Plans to cut search and rescue operations at RMB Chivenor in north Devon this winter have been scrapped.

Twenty four-hour cover will continue throughout January and February, said the Ministry of Defence.

It had planned to reduce cover for six weeks after some crew members were deployed to Afghanistan.

But the plan has been scrapped because new crew members have been put in place, making the reduction unnecessary.

RMB Chivenor could still see its night flights being cut in 2012 because the government says a fleet of new rescue helicopters coming into service will be faster than current aircraft.

Campaigners say this will put lives at risk as a third of callouts responded to by RMB Chivenor are at night.

[RichC]

Faster helicopters or not... Chivenor is one of the busiest (sometimes the busiest) SAR station in the whole of northern Europe.
It is the primary long range SAR station here in the SW approaches too (Culdrose is not).

Totally baffling.

Chivenors area of cover is huge.
Extending from Central Wales to the border with France.
250 miles SW of Lands End to Lyme Bay
All inland areas of the SW England and Wales.

[Blackcat1]

One was also involved during the floods up north a few weeks ago so im told. It flew over me via Cardiff returning to Chivenor from the Cockermouth area.