Air Corps SAR

AerLingus747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120796816#Comment_120796816

I think the winding up has gone very well seen as they've gone crying to you about it...

At the end of the day, they don't have to respond, in fact, Dohville said I was blocked but continues to respond to me, which is technology defying and should get some sort of technological medal for being able to do so...

If they didn't think their opinion was holier than though, it wouldn't be so easy to get their backs up.... their precious IAC is a lllooooonnggg way from anything functional other than maritime patrol and maybe some surveillance/ISR activities with the PC-12's.

Manic Moran

[MOD]Regardless of past success. It stops now[/MOD]

AerLingus747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120797606#Comment_120797606

It's stops when Dohville and co start coping with anything negative said about the IAC... even if they put together sarcastic essay responses, it still doesn't enhance the IAC's capabilities any time in the next decade

the first step to change, is acceptance....

roadmaster

All the partys in court yesterday. Sounds like Bristow will not be using S92s

https://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/court-hears-claim-of-political-interference-in-awarding-e800m-air-rescue-contract-1497677.html

EchoIndia

It's in the nature of legal proceedings that claims are made that may not have a lot of weight behind them. Posting a media report doesn't add anything other than drawing attention to the proceedings. On the face of it, there's no clear issue here that casts doubt on the outcome of the tender process. But let's see how this progresses.

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120811483#Comment_120811483

Thats true but in court on Tuesday the below was said

CHC had made a "really extraordinary submission" claiming the public interest favoured it because, it claimed, Bristow will not be able to deliver and that their (CHC's) aircraft are self-evidently better, which Bristow disputes, he said.

That reads as if its not going to be the S92. If rumours going round that it will be the AW189 that could be bad news for the Air Corps as Bristow might go after the Older Air Corps AW139 pilots who might be tempted to jump ship for a big pay day. Leonardo claim you can get rated on the 189 if you have flowm the 139 very quickley.

The one thing out of all of this that is very shi@y is that the current CHC staff dont know if they have jobs going forward. I dont know how the unions have not got an amswer for them yet.

AerLingus747

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120811732#Comment_120811732

Maybe the CHC S-92's are better than the Bristow ones... bit like my Da is better than your Da.

It's a strange assertion, as Bristow are about 70/30 split S-92's to AW189's in their UK fleet at the moment, and I don't see them getting brand new helo's for the Irish contract in the timeframe, unless they have recently lost a contract in the Mexican or Middle eastern gulfs?

Or it may not be a single type? With some AW139's or 169's replacing an S-92... but that leads to a redundancy nightmare.

Dohvolle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120811157#Comment_120811157

Based on what exactly? Bristow use numerous types, and in the UK where they also have an SAR contract, they use both the AW169 and the S92.

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120812289#Comment_120812289

Based on they said Bristows helicopters are not up to the job. If Bristow where going to use the S92 why would CHC say that when they use them. Would that in effect not be saying there S92s are not up to the job?

Dohvolle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120812469#Comment_120812469

Who said their helicopters are not up to the job? Who are "They"?

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120812623#Comment_120812623

Did you read the Article? In the High Court on Tuesday it was claimed that CHC said Bristows Aircraft are not up to the job

sparky42

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120812717#Comment_120812717

CHC want the awarding revoked, I imagine they are going to claim everything under the sun to try and make that happen, whether it’s the entire truth or not is a different matter.

Larbre34

That's the daftest angle to contest a procurement award I ever heard.

I wonder do Bristow's S92s fly into big rocks in the middle of the ocean at night?

I do hope the High Court sees through this My Cousin Vinnie stuff quickly and dismisses the petition.

The Coastguard SAR service needs certainty and forward progress and it needs it soon.

davetherave

>Johathan Newman SC, for Bristow, urged the court not to grant an injunction which would prevent the contract being awarded to his client.

CHC had made a "really extraordinary submission" claiming the public interest favoured it because, it claimed, Bristow will not be able to deliver and that their (CHC's) aircraft are self-evidently better, which Bristow disputes, he said.

CHC are also using the fact that good old Gerry Craughwell stuck his oar in during the few minutes they (the Seanad) get at the start of business to go on about whatever they feel like, as part of their case.

https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/seanad/2023-05-31/speech/49/

The Department of Transport has set out its preferred tenderer for the search and rescue contract and that is Bristow Ireland, which I congratulate on the job. I am not one bit sorry to see that CHC has not gotten over the line. 

From our point of view, this House and committee did much work that influenced the way this contract went. It was a good day for Ireland that we did what we did.

And this fine piece.

I want to find out, as regards the fixed-wing element, whether that aircraft will be stationed in Ireland. It should be stationed here. I suggest that Waterford Airport would be an ideal place for it. It could cover both the south and west coasts, but also the east coast. I do not want to hear we have a fixed-wing element somewhere in the UK because those fixed-wing aircraft carry specialised equipment and we do not want a foreign aircraft scanning Irish coasts.

I could be wrong, but I reckon that the crew of a vessel in need of assistance 60 miles off the south west coast of Cork wouldn't really care if it was EI-ICW or G-ICAW that was searching for them.

Dohvolle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120812717#Comment_120812717

I was answering your question with a question. Sorry if that wasn't clear.

Unless they are party to Bristow's tender offer, (Impossible, legally)CHC would be unable to give a qualified view to that assertion. Plus, they operated the contract using ancient S61s for ages, until the Irish Govt had funded them enough to secure a few 10 year old S92s. Its a delaying tactic with no purpose other than to frustrate the competition.

As for the Senator, the Former head of the Coast Guard, got into numerous disagreements with the senator because of his public views, warning him of the consequence of the outbursts, only to be dismissed as someone in CHCs pocket. (The Gentleman in question works for neither the Coast Guard or CHC).

Needless to say he blocked the Senator.

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120813991#Comment_120813991

Can the good senator be dragged in to this court case or is he protected by parliamentary privilege?

tippilot

The tender specs were written for the AW189, be in no doubt about that.

Unfortunate, as the winter SAR environment here is one of the harshest worldwide and the east coast has high frequency large ferry traffic. Anything with a smaller capacity and shorter range than the S92 is a downgrade. No two ways about it.

The AW189 might have sufficient capability for the majority of takings, but it brings a reduction in overall capability.

Psychlops

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120811157#Comment_120811157

Where does it say that?

Psychlops

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120812469#Comment_120812469

They mean the S92 is superior to the AW189.

Psychlops

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120815123#Comment_120815123

Wont work on the West/NW/SW.

Dohvolle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120814079#Comment_120814079

He says he has been named in the action.

Parliamentary privilege is not all encompassing. The chair of committee issues a warning to that effect at the start of any committee session.

"Before we start, I wish to explain some limitations to parliamentary privilege, and the practices of the Houses with regard to references that witnesses can make to other persons in their evidence. The evidence of witnesses physically present, or who give evidence from within the parliamentary precincts, is protected pursuant to both the Constitution and statute by absolute privilege. As they are within the precincts of Leinster House, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the presentations they make to the committee. This means that witnesses have an absolute defence against any defamation action for anything they say at the meeting. However, they are expected not to abuse that privilege and it is my duty as Cathaoirleach to ensure it is not abused. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks, and it is imperative that they comply."

Larbre34

The same noble Senator will be only too delighted with the attention

Dohvolle

His heart is in the right place, but he is often badly advised.

roadmaster

Id say there might be an article about this covered in one of the papers on Sunday

roadmaster

If you look at the JP Morgan presentation it shows an AW189 in IRCG colours. Is that hint it will be a AW189 Fleet?

https://www.bristowgroup.com/news-media/presentations

Dohvolle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120832433#Comment_120832433

Can you be more specific? There are quite a few presentations there, and the 2 I clicked on only showed Dutch or UK coast guard helis.

roadmaster

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120837998#Comment_120837998

Go to the 1st one June 20th 2023 J.P. Morgan Energy, Power & Renewables Conference scroll down 3/4 ways you will see the slide on the IRCG contract

Dohvolle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120838233#Comment_120838233

May the gods bless your eyesight, and your impressive reaching too based on just one image.

Larbre34

A photoshop rendering in a tender glossy is irrelevant. It just means they took one of their existing 189s and doctored the image.

Long way to go, if ever, before Bristow aircraft take up the role.

Psychlops

Thats the image mentioned. Looks crap either way.