COVER STORY : Life Boat Rescue

Georgina Hunter-Jones

HELICOPTER LIFE spent the day with the RAF Search & Rescue training on and off the RNLI Lifeboats

Owing to the complex and responsible nature of Search and Rescue both the helicopter crews and the RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) need to train and practice regularly, working together whenever possible to refine their skills in winching and the difficult manoeuvres of catching the winch line and hoisting survivors (injured or uninjured) in poor weather conditions, from the boats into the helicopter.

Laura Kerr, from the RNLI says, "our personnel need to be able to perform a smooth transition to the helicopter in sometimes very rough seas, and we will train with any of our airborne rescuers who are available."

Squadron Leader Neil Robertson, from the RAF Search and Rescue based at Wattisham in Suffolk, explains, "we are committed to train with the RNLI at least once a year or as necessary."

If possible the RAF at Wattisham try to train with the RNLI once a month with emphasis on the manoeuvres from lifeboat to helicopter, and particularly from the small 'rib' (re-inforced inflatable boat) to helicopter. Here the helicopter pilot cannot see the boat and the rib has to move up to the helicopter, which can be extremely difficult for an inexperienced coxswain in rough seas.

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