A P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland was launched on Search and Rescue duties for the first time yesterday as the aircraft and its crew helped rescue two transatlantic rowers.
The Royal Air Force said in a news release that HM Coastguard established that the two Faroese crew members had taken to a life raft after their rowing vessel had capsized and sunk.
“After communicating with merchant vessels in the area a ship, the Nordic Qinngua, made its way towards the stricken rowers. On reaching the scene, the crew of the Poseidon were able to communicate with the merchant vessel and relay information back to UK mission controllers to help coordinate the rescue efforts.
The Poseidon crew from 201 Squadron were resting for an evening mission when they were called in early to respond to the emergency transmission from the life raft. The crew arrived on the scene at 11:45, establishing communication with the merchant ship and visual contact with the life raft.”
Oh dear, the article seems to be cut short.
From what I have seen more and more people are crossing the pond for charity, which increases the risk of more call outs. The P8 here was simply used as an eye in the sky in which to be able to direct a ship to the guys in the raft. As the number of call outs for such could/may/will increase surely purchasing a few UAVs which can do the job 24/7 would be a better option. UAVs such as the Hermes 900, which already comes in a sea rescue iteration which if based in the West of Ireland (joint unit?) would… Read more »
A British military basing even under any sort of “joint unit” isn’t happening in Ireland, whether it’s air interception or P8s, or UAVs or anything else. I don’t know why it needs to be repeated when even the most basic look at the politics would explain why its not going to happen.
Doesn’t have to be mil, it could be a joint endeavor for both nations coastguards, and its about time some people realized that 1922 was 100 fing years ago, the people today had sweet FA to do with the potato famine, I mean Germany and Poland get on fine as do the US and Japan as do the US and Vietnam. Times change, the Irish and British already allow free movement between both countries, the Irish can vote in Uk elections and Ireland is a net recipient of British electricity. The Queen visited Ireland the other year, my point both… Read more »
That’s nice but not really true is it, a central part of PiS diplomacy and domestic politics has been German bashing when it suits them to do so, or for example Japan’s “issues” with many of its Pacific neighbours. We don’t get to choose other nations positions or culture, and no it has little to do with the Famine. Not sure why you bring up the CTA, British people have the same rights and it was created and sustained as it suited London as much as Dublin. I never understand in this area why there’s always a suggestion of “joint”… Read more »
Mark wrote:
No we dont, but funny how everybody and his dog feels they have a say regards the Uk, including the irish under its (former) vapid Indian leader. My post was about leaving the past in the past and working towards the future in which to save life.
He’s Irish and will be the leader in less than 6 months again so get over it. Nor was his position or opinion unique to him. Nor have British politicians ever kept their opinions on Ireland to themselves either.
And you still haven’t explained why if theres a case for further capabilities West of GB, why NI isn’t an option? Or is it you just assume that Ireland should do what you think it should?
Mark wrote:
Oh give over with the victim mentality, what part of me stating leave the past in the past and lets work towards a future in which to safeguard life can you not accept or understand.
It has nothing to do with “Victim Mentality”, no nation leaves the past in the past and the U.K. is no exception to that, you are fooling yourself if you believe otherwise.
There is zero interest at any level on either side of the Irish Sea for any such project.
Mark wrote:
“It has nothing to do with “Victim Mentality”,””
FFS, I’m a jo dacky whose parents came from India, do I give a toss about India, no as it was in the past and has SFA to do with anybody I know (including myself) as I keep trying to tell you leave the past in the past and move on. Now I’m off a beer, I’d like to tell you to do likewise, but i’m pretty sure you’l find something in that to be offended by.
“There is zero interest at any level on either side of the Irish Sea for any such project.”
So if there was an emergency of some kind, say several hundred miles off Irelands west coast, what assets does Ireland have to respond?
Currently the two Casa’s that have been in service for decades along with the coastguard S92s (depending on how far out they have refuelled on the oil/gas rigs off the West Coast), the 235s are being replaced with 295s while the coastguard might get a dedicated too cover plane as part of the new contract.
So you have something then, and should not be relying on the UK. I thought it might be another no interceptors scenario again.
I think Farouk’s suggestion was a sensible one myself.
It wasn’t me that suggested Ireland does rely on the UK for SAR was it? Hell it wasn’t even me that brought up Ireland in this. Point of fact the Irish Coastguard also responds to NI call outs just as the AC’s 139s cover fire fighting there when asked, though that tends to lag as it needs approval from Whitehall. As for the suggestion of some sort of “Joint” facility, it doesn’t make much sense to me tbh. As I said, if the UK feels the need for some permanent facilities or aircraft further west of GB, whats the issue… Read more »
No one was saying it was you, no, and not me either incase you misread my meaning. As I said I thought the suggestion from F sensible given, as he said, the increasing number of crossings.👍
And I know next to sod all on the capabilities of your armed forces beyond that they’re minimal, so thought I’d ask.
Leaving aside technical and security issues, such “joint” projects are not really likely given how bad the Anglo-Irish relationship is at the Governmental level and the reality that its likely to get even worse before it gets better. I mean think about it, it’s more viable for AC to send pilots to the US Army or the RAAF than the UK, what does that suggest for such a joint project?
The Coastguard recently went with the Schiebel S-100 for its S&R drone. The new fixed wing planes will be six King Airs.
Nice piece of kit, would be nice to see the RN purchase a few
There’s a lot of ocean to cover out there. Maybe uk or Irish could want to have more coast guard surveillance aircraft/drones. I don’t know if a P8 is needed for most roles or if a cheaper aircraft can do surveillance, rescue missions.
In dream world Ireland could get some Japanese P1 aircraft. Love that aircraft.
Japanese P1 is the aircraft we should have purchased to replace our Nimrod’s – purpose built 4 engined ASW platform, good down low or high up, what’s not to like!!!
Stop it deep, ur making me feel all gooey inside about P1 in raf colours. Uk missed out going for the P8. Apart from the systems on board 737 is a stupid airplane to convert.
Like making an interceptor from a low level strike aircraft. It’s will work, just not brilliantly.
With Japan getting closer with tempest, meteor sensor etc a P1 buy could of started that joint work earlier.
Ahh what could of been.
It could be worse….We could have made a MPA into a long range sidewinder equipped fighter…but that would have been crazy…oh…hang on…:)😮
Heaviest fighter ever produced right there and Probably highest endurance too. 😂
The 737 engine failure rate is extremely small, one of the things that killed the A380 was the extension of ETOPS to twin engines. The hi-low performance is a different matter.
Ireland has already gone for 2 295s (which aren’t nearly enough) which are due late this year/early next year ish. As a general rule for reasons known only to DOD/Finance we don’t generally buy outside of Europe, been that way since effectively 1922.
Think the Coastguard might get a plane for top cover as part of the current contract but I’d expect that to be relatively limited.
Charity could fund a P8
Pretty sure the RNLI have looked at hand launched fixed wing drones similar in size and operability as the desert hawk to be used by their all weather boats, so UAV SAR from them might not be far off.
We certainly need more of these…
Not really the most effective use of a £250m ASW monster.
Agreed but handy training on a new plat form regardless.
Always happens, Nimrod saved countless lives in its search and rescue role!
I think this is a perfect training mission for the crews of the p8 not acomputer generated make believe exercises real life’s on the line (could be nato aircrew) plane doing what my tax pounds helped pay for.
Nimrod was also used in the SAR role. It’s part and parcel of the capability. And very effective. Fixed wing can get on station very quickly and pass on information to the supporting vessels and the aircraft can stay on station for long periods. If it saves lives, it’s worth the cost.
Just hope we can get a SAR support pod sorted for the pylons or bomb bay
Diversity in the Armed Forces in this country. When will this madness stop? Morale is at an all time low and then we keep getting this PC garbage.
Nothing wrong with diversity. The way the agenda seems to be forced upon organisations is the problem. It should be Everyone is welcome so long as everyone equally values everyone else (kind of thing). Merit, skills and willingness to learn have to get back to the top of the priority list. It doesn’t matter your skin colour, where your from etc. Everyone get the same chance to succeed. To do it any differently is simple going against the whole point of an equal society. I often wonder if the stories are 100% true and if the policies are understood by… Read more »
I agree, But check out British tv adds, you’ll struggle to find a middle aged white male, Meerkats are better represented. Or non mixed family. Our family are mixed race btw but we’re by no means a representative majority.
Yep, wife and I have been observing that for many years. Sometimes not one white person. It is no coincidence.
How do you know morale is at an all time low?
Sadly it’s because the levers of power are infected and infiltrated by individuals who have a globalist ideology people who hate this great nation and who don’t want “Nationalism” the civil service is a prime example. It’s unbelievable that government ministers are hindered and thwarted at every turn by civil servants who don’t agree with elected gov policy. It’s a swamp. The RAF not hiring white men because they have to prioritise ethnic people or women is a disgrace it’s treason and those responsible should be …. Well I’ll leave that to the imagination as plenty wee wokey dokey types… Read more »
Bravo mate. Bravo.
Hmmm …the RAF desperate for a dead cat good news story.
Ideal scenario for a Maritime Protector IMHO. Going off at a tangent but, as commented by Jon elsewhere in the chat, I’d like to see the Schiebel S-100 (or similar) in service with the RN too. It’s range would limit it’s use in this reported SAR scenario but if we had one equipping, say, the R2s this would be one way of adding to their flexibility/capability in a relatively in-expensive manner.