Rescue chopper's SOS to business
4 May 2005
Lifesaving South Africa has called on local business to help get the association's rescue helicopters back in the sky. The SA Press Association (Sapa) reports that the service has been grounded after a sponsorship deal came to an end in April.
South Africa's coastline now has no dedicated rescue helicopter service, according to Sapa. In the Western Cape, only the Skymed helicopter - a joint venture between the Red Cross Air Medical Service and the Cape Town's emergency's services - will be available for rescue duties.
"Finding people missing in the sea is almost impossible from the shore and extremely difficult from boats", Lifesaving SA's rescue helicopter manager, James Ross, told Sapa. "Only helicopters can perform this role effectively."
While Nokia will continue to provide limited funding, this will not be enough to sustain the service.
"We hope that big business will take advantage of this opportunity and put us back in the
sky", Ross said.
Ross told Sapa that lifesavers would henceforth respond to emergencies in their private vehicles, with backup provided by the National Sea Rescue Institute and the Air Wing of the South African Police Service.
Lifesaving SA had equipped its crew members with surf rescue equipment and had them on 24-hour standby at popular coastal venues.
The helicopter rescue service has been in operation since 1983, and has seen a number of sponsors in that time.
Nokia's sponsorship, started in December 2002, enabled the service to expand to Margate in KwaZulu-Natal, Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, and George and Hermanus in the Western Cape.
The helicopters that were used included Bell Jet Rangers, EC 120s, and Allouettes.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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