Labour Lunacy or Insight

[Pheel]

Just wondering if anyone was watching Countryfile earlier and saw the latest proposals for privatizing(sp) the helicopter Search and Rescue teams. I couldn't find an article about it but I was wondering what everyones views were on it and whether they knew anymore about it, suchas time-scale, how many bases there would be etc.
As private company has to make a profit will the service suffer? Do you think it will ultimatly be the start of charging people for callouts and rescues, which I agree with in some cases but only as it's going to a good bunch of lads that do everything they can above and beyond the call of duty.

Many thanks for your opinions in advance

Pheel

 

[brianrunyard]

I think you'll find some of the Search and Rescue helicopters are already operated by Bristows under contract to the MCA.

 

[Sixpence]

They said the changes weren't due to come in until 2012 I think , yet another idiot venture by a HMG determined to justify each departments existance , by doing something , even where there is nothing real to do .
It's a pointless move that'll do nothing to improve anything. RAF Valley is already there , and the crews are experienced , but still train , so why they want to do this is beyond any understanding

 

[Lakesailor]

It's part off the PFI thingy in which the costs today are reduced and the committment to pay over a long period will be the next (different party's) goverment's problem.

 

[Sixpence]

In other words , it won't work now , but that won't be labours problem

 

[Pheel]

They said there are 12 bases, 6 are run by RAF 2 by the police and 4 by the MCA. Will continuity be a good thing. I dont understand what the problem is with the current system, is there one I dont know about?? If you privatized the system would they work with the RYA? WOuld they introduce legislation or have no say in boating affairs?

 

[halcyon]

The Cauldrose SAR was split, the old board of trade assume MCA now, pay for the copter, the Navy supplied the crew. Why is it cheaper to replace SAR with a private company, when the SAR will still be there in the Navy and RAF, The other thing is that the Navy SAR "dope on the rope" is a diver, and they go in the water from upto 60 foot. Nice thought that you do not have to wait till they lower him, what do Bristows do if you are traped in the cabin and the boat is inverted ?.

Brian

 

[john_morris_uk]

[ QUOTE ]
They said there are 12 bases, 6 are run by RAF 2 by the police and 4 by the MCA. Will continuity be a good thing. I dont understand what the problem is with the current system, is there one I dont know about?? If you privatized the system would they work with the RYA? WOuld they introduce legislation or have no say in boating affairs?

[/ QUOTE ]I protest. They are not all RAF and MCA. Some are Navy. Nothing annoys the Navy SAR teams more than being reported in the news as an RAF helicopter - and vice versa.

I have worked with all three. Bristows in HMS Daudalus in the 90's, a friend flew for the RN at HMS Gannet (Scotland) and I was at Chivenor for three years where the RAF helicopter is based. Tried to get a flight for my son, but he was under 11 and not eligible in those days...

Don't know where the cost savings are to come from - the services will still run some SAR and the training and flying is important.

 

[charles_reed]

Valley

is great for Irish Sea, Bristol Channel, but impractical for N Sea and S coast.

I think you'll find that nearly 40% of helicopter ASR is contracted out now.

I'll ask when my contacts are back at work Monday

 

[Talbot]

[ QUOTE ]
Don't know where the cost savings are to come from

[/ QUOTE ]
I suspect this is a smoke and mirrors job to show considerable savings in the defence vote, whilst actually costing more elsewhere on a different vote. After all a politician doesnt have to actually save real money, just appear so to do!

How do you know if a politician is lying - his mouth is open!

 

[tcm]

PFi outrage

yep, PFI is unquesionablythe lasting Big Economic Con of nulab. The one advantage of pfi is to shift things off balance sheet, buying big projects on tick. Yet of all problems of govt running things , actually getting hold of the loot was *never* the problem - it was the orgainsational issues. So the govt has copied the least worthy aspct of private sector - funding - but with none of the better management features of tight budgeting and timely delivery. A big shame, and a big mess.