Royal Navy SAR Flight, HMS Gannet, Are Set To Say 'So-Long Scotland'

The Royal Navy’s helicopter heroes, who are based at HMS Gannet in Prestwick, have been involved in thousands of Scottish rescues in the 44-years since the unit was first established.

On December 30 they performed a major rescue when they assisted 12 people trapped on a bus caught in floodwater near Girvan. Two days later, on January 1st, the unit handed the rescue baton to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency contractor Bristow Helicopters, bringing to an end military SAR.

But on Thursday, January 14, the Gannet team will get the chance to say goodbye when they fly past some of the areas that have seen the majority of their rescues. And the team are hoping that the public come out to wave them goodbye.

Weather permitting, Royal Navy Sea King helicopters from HMS Gannet will fly-over in formation the following route:

• Prestwick 1000
• Glasgow 1030
• Garelochhead 1045
• Tyndrum/Crainlarich 1100
• Lochaber 1140
• Oban 1240
• Inverlochlarig 1305
• Stirling 1325
• Edinburgh 1340
• Ayr 1425
• Prestwick 1427
• Troon 1430

“Over the years HMS Gannet has enjoyed immense support from communities the length and breadth of Scotland," said Commanding Officer of HMS Gannet, Lieutenant Commander Charlie Fuller. "The fly-past is our chance to say farewell and hopefully people will come out to wave goodbye too.”

During 2015 HMS Gannet was the busiest search and rescue flight in the UK, completing over 300 rescues. The unit also holds the record for the most rescues in one year when, in 2009, HMS Gannet conducted 447 rescues around the country.

The December 30th rescue saw the duty crew, Lieutenant Commander Martin Lanni, Lieutenant Richie Lightfoot, Lieutenant James Bullock and Petty Officer Alan Speed rescued ten people in Dailly near Girvan. The crew avoided 120ft trees and racing currents to rescue the stricken passengers trapped on a bus caught in floodwaters. The crew worked until reaching their fuel endurance and a final two persons were recovered by boat.

Their final day of operations was relatively routine in comparison, with Gannet spending the morning flying a casualty from the Isle of Rhum to Glasgow University Hospital for further medical treatment and the afternoon helping police in the Invergary area. This marked the 313th job of the year and the final task by HMS Gannet. The final duty crew were Commanding Officer and Pilot Lieutenant Commander Charles Fuller, Pilot Lieutenant Commander Stuart Pike, Observer Lieutenant Commander Florry Ford and Aircrewman Chief Petty Officer Shaun Knights.

(Source: Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team Facebook page. Images from Facebook)

FMI: www.facebook.com/ArdrossanCoastguard