CHC Ireland, the company that operates the State’s emergency all-weather search and rescue helicopter bases in Sligo, Shannon, Dublin and Waterford, is to stand down the service for a period of time today. The company said Shannon and Dublin SAR bases will be closed from 12pm to 1pm today and Sligo and Waterford will be offline from 1pm until 2pm.
During these times two helicopters will remain in operation for emergencies.
CHC said the move, which is connected to its dispute with the Government over the awarding of a new €670 million ten-year contract, will see a “reduced service available during this time”.
In May, the Government approved a recommendation from Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and Minister of State Jack Chambers to offer the next search-and-rescue contract to Bristow Ireland Limited, expected to be worth €670 million. Bristow Ireland is due to take over operations in July 2025.
However in June, CHC said it was concerned about alleged “flaws” in the tendering process and announced it was initiating legal action against the Government. At the time CHC Ireland said its action was prompted by concern for “the staff who provide the service and the people who rely on it. This is consistent with our philosophy of putting people at the forefront of everything, as we have done for the past 20-plus years”, it said.
CHC describes itself as a leader in the provision of helicopter support to the offshore energy market, search and rescue, and Government departments.
On Friday morning the company said “increased concern for the health and wellbeing of CHC staff” was behind its decision to move all four bases “offline” from 12 to 2pm.
The company said it was drawing attention to a lack of certainty regarding continuity of employment for its staff under the new contract. It said under EU regulations regarding protection of employees, known as Tupe, continuity of employment should be provided.
CHC said the lack of certainty over future employment “has led to elevated levels of stress among staff and therefore the safety stand down is necessary at this time”.
“It is incumbent on us to protect the safety and wellbeing of our staff. By taking this necessary measure we can ensure that we continue to operate safely, without outside distractions and remain focused on the life-saving work we do for The Irish Coast Guard,” said Rob Tatten, CHC Director of Operations and Accountable manager Ireland.
The Department of Transport said it was alerted by CHC, of the intention to suspend helicopter operations “on a staggered basis” on Friday. A spokesman said the department had been “advised that the interruption would be for a maximum of one hour at any base and was intended to enable CHC conduct staff briefings in relation to the transition from the existing contract to the next generation aviation contract”.
The spokesman added the department “is actively engaged with all stakeholders including CHC as the operator of the current contract to enable the smooth transition to the new contract.”
Officials from Forsa, the union which represent pilots and winch crew in the Coast Guard, who met with senior officials from the Department of Transport and Coast Guard management on Friday suggested in a communication to members that the talks had gone well.
“We have been informed that the formal transition plan will begin between CHC & Bristow, and that will define whether pilots and winch crew will transfer over,” they said.
“However, the Department of Transport are keen to see a seamless transition, and expect the TUPE principles will apply.
“We will write to Bristow and seek assurances on the matter.”
