The need for guidelines on search and rescue demonstrations, and the difficulties posed when civilian and military teams work together, have been highlighted in the Air Accident Investigation Unit's report on a Tall Ships accident last year.
The report was ordered after nine Naval Service divers were injured in a helicopter demonstration before thousands of spectators on the River Liffey in Dublin last year.
The divers were working with a civilian Sikorsky S-61 aircraft on contract to the Irish Marine Emergency Service. The AAIU report noted that permission was not sought from the Irish Aviation Authority for the demonstration, and management levels in all three organisations involved - the contractor, IMES and the Naval Service - were unaware of the final format of the demonstration. It concluded that the injuries sustained, involving two of the swimmers for being kept in hospital more than 48 hours, was caused by the excessive forward speed of the aircraft.
Contributory factors were: lack of aircrew experience, particularly by the commander, in this type of operation; lack of planning, rehearsal and aircrew training for the demonstration; lack of laid down, agreed and approved procedures for dropping personnel from the helicopter; lack of management involvement and supervision on the part of the Naval Service and contractor; display pressure on the participants; the failure to appoint an effective safety co-ordinator for the demonstration; and the helicopter jumping techniques used by the Naval Service.
The report made a number of safety recommendations, including a review by the Defence Forces of regulations and techniques involved in such activities.