AIR-SEA RESCUE SERVICE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25309, 8 October 1947, Page 6

AIR-SEA RESCUE SERVICE

HEADQUARTERS AT WIGRAM

CO-ORDINATION WITH LAUNCHES

Headquarters for the RJN.Z.A.F. airsea rescue service are now located at Wigram aerodrome, where aircraft and crews are standing by sewen days of the week, ready to take off on an hour’s notice. Manned by members of the staff of the air navigation school. Wigram, Hudson aircraft form the backbone of the service which has a close link with about 75 sea-going launches available at points all round the South Island.

Crews are provided by the air navigation school, Wigram, for Hudsons stationed at Whenuapai and Fiji. The aircraft at these aerodromes are equipped with airborne lifeboats, a British war-time invention, and the aircraft at Wigram have Lindholme dinghies at present The crews work on a roster system, spending one month at whenuapai and three months in Fiji. Two Catalina flying-boats based in the North Island are not flown by crews from Wigram. According to the annual report of the Air Department which was presented to Parliament recently, the airsea rescue obligation was assumed by the RN.ZA.F. under the International Civil Aviation Convention, and is one which can be more economically fulfilled by the Air Force. During the year ended on March 31 last, 45 search or rescue operations were undertaken. One of the most recent flights made by the service was from Fiji to Rarotonga to bring out a sick man who was flown by Catalina to Auckland for an operation. Until a few months ago an aircraft was stationed at Norfolk Island; but now this service has been taken over by the Australian authorities. Aid from Flying Control. The organisation is closely connected with flying control centres which plot the courses of all aircraft in their areas. If an aeroplane fails to report from ite destination within half an hour of its estimated time of arrival, inquiries are made immediately by flying control,- and if necessary, a search is ordered. Aircraft with radio have to report their positions at regular intervals, so flying control officers can give the air-sea service a good indication of where a missing aircraft is likely to be found. There are several centres in the Dominion, each covering a defined area. When an aircraft passes out of one sector, it is handed over” to the next flying control centre by radio. When an in-shore search or rescue is necessary, flying control advises the sea , rescue officer at the nearest port, and he is responsible for sending out launches. These are usually fishing or pleasure craft which are supplied fuel in sealed containers by the R.N.Z.A.F. for use in an emergency First aid equipment is also nrovided’ Some of the vessels have broadcast radio sets by which they can pick up urgent messages sent from radio stations. As the launches have a limited range, the aircraft are called on for off-shore searches.