No decision on penalising firm for air sea rescue helicopter delay

THE Government's west coast air sea helicopter is expected to be "fully operational" early next month - three months after the new contract holder took over at Shannon.

No final decision has been taken on penalising the Scottish company for late compliance. Legal advice is still being taken on the application of the penalty clause in the original contract, according to the Department of the Marine.

A restricted service by the new contract holder, Bond Helicopters, had been in place since January when the company took over the Shannon medium range rescue base from Irish Helicopters. The new company's Sikorsky S-61 was not equipped with autohover - computer assisted equipment which permits the craft to hold a fixed position above a vessel or body and to carry out a rescue in poor visibility or at night.

An extended deadline till the end of February, agreed with the Department, was missed, as was a second deadline of mid March - resulting in criticism from Irish Helicopters, the former operator, and from the Donegal fisheries' researcher who initiated the original campaign for the west coast base, Ms Joan McGinley.

The Government awarded the contract on the basis of cost rather than expertise, Irish Helicopters claimed, while Ms McGinley queried the decision to accept a restricted service on the Atlantic seaboard during the worst weather months.

Bond Helicopters said identification of a design fault in the Sikorsky's electrical system had obstructed testing, and this had been compounded by bad weather in February. The company informed the Minister for the Marine, Mr Barrett, of the hitch in a letter dated February 20th.

The Department of the Marine said yesterday a "fully compliant" helicopter had been delivered to Shannon earlier this week, and it was expected to be certified and flying by April 1st. Imposing the penalty had not been ruled out.

Mr Barrett has promised that the Air Corps will be involved in the new contract for an east coast medium range helicopter, which is expected to be in place by the year's end.