Rescue 116

[na grohmití]

Examiner.ie reporting a search is underway for the Dublin based Rescue 116 coastguard helicopter. Contact was lost around 1am as the aircraft was off the West coast heading to assist colleagues on medevac.

[Sparky42]

It's being reported on all the news apps now.

[DeV]

Here's praying they are found safe and well

[Sparky42]

Here's praying they are found safe and well

I think we all hope so, I'm just worried that it's so long since the crash with no word.

[Sparky42]

This doesn't sound good:

Tony McNamara, lifeboat operations manager in Achill told TheJournal.ie their boat was on scene at 2.15am.

“Conditions are reasonable. It was a moonlit night last night so it wasn’t so bed. It’s daylight now, which makes it easier for them.”

McNamara said “quite a bit of debris” could be seen in the water at the scene early this morning.

[Jetjock]

7 hours now. Marine Traffic showing a search concentrated north of Achill.

[DeV]

1 found in critical condition

[DeV]

IRCG don't hold out much hope for the crew (including the survivor who was found). Let's hope they are wrong.

It was on its way into Blacksod Lighthouse to refuel prior to heading out to sea

[Sparky42]

IRCG don't hold out much hope for the crew (including the survivor who was found). Let's hope they are wrong.

It was on its way into Blacksod Lighthouse to refuel prior to heading out to sea

Rough year for IRCG, helicopter crashes are always nasty. Would it be wrong of me to ask why fly the Dublin 92 over and have to refuel it, rather than have the CASA provide Top Cover?

[johnharry]

Prayers with all crew and family

[Jetjock]

Questions will be asked in time. I did hear Charlie 253 (I think) on freq while on my last sector yesterday at 4pm. It may have been an availability issue.
I have always found the concept of a helicopter providing top cover for a helicopter as strange. Unfortunately it takes a major loss of life in this country to embarrass politicians into providing suitable equipment in suitable numbers.

[Turkey]

It is very important not to speculate at this time, just keep with known facts and nothing else....

[Sparky42]

The recovered member Captain Dara Fitzpatrick has died. RIP
http://www.irishtimes.com/news/irela...rick-1.3009721

[Graylion]

There was this issue, but that looks like it was properly handled: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/irela...ecks-1.2931981

[pym]

Rest in Peace

Thoughts with the family, colleagues and friends of the crew.

[Sparky42]

Rest In Peace doesn't seem enough for the crew given all the wonderful rescues they've been involved in.

[pym]

Rest In Peace doesn't seem enough for the crew given all the wonderful rescues they've been involved in.

Absolutely. Their courage and professionalism - when you saw them go about their work, you'd almost think it was routine, but they're absolute pro's undertaking an incredibly difficult and dangerous job every day of the week.

I cannot imagine what their fellow CG members are going through at the moment, doing their job again, but this time it's their colleagues and friends they're searching for.

[morpheus]

RIP

[DeV]

RIP

[Graylion]

RIP

[Liachta Cultaca]

Rest in Peace

[sofa]

RIP

[Shaqra]

RIP - a sad, sad day.

[koppiteal]

RIP

[restless]

As an IRCG volunteer down on the south coast, i would like to extend my deepest sympathies to the Fitzptrick family and indeed to the families of all the crew members of R116, our thoughts are also with our colleagues on the ground who are faced with this sad recovery. rest in peace.