Portland Coastguard helicopter's role in hunt for boy (From Dorset Echo)

...waits for the barrage of posts about why we should keep the helicopter, with barely a mention of the real tragedy.

ManOnTheSilverMounta
in wrote:
...waits for the barrage of posts about why we should keep the helicopter, with barely a mention of the real tragedy.

Do you really think we are all heartless people that are trying to save our chopper. My heart goes out t the family involved in such a tragedy. Accidents happen, as here, and that is why we must never reduce the capability of the rescue services, whatever particular part of the service is needed. Thesepeopel have lost their cid to a cruel and unfeling sea.

From what you have said, you feel that the helicopter and/or the other coastal rescue services are not worth the money, and that for sure puts you in a minority.

Portland helicopter is not only used for local rescues, as has been proven by this story, but has also been used many other times in different areas of the southwest. Take Boscastle, for example. The helicopter did such an amazing job on that mission and many lives were saved, that would have been lost if this helicopter had not been available.

With the landslides we have been having recently, and the local flooding in the areas around the Portland base, I think most of us would accept that the weather is making our lives more and more treacherous these days, and that in itself is a good argument for the governmnet to hold off on these cuts.

If, through the removal of this service, one person should die, then I suggest that the person's family should consider suing the government. The decision to take out the helicopter, and the Coast Guard SAR base on Weymouth Quay, has been made with little or no consultation with the local people who rely on these services in the mai, but as proven over the weekend. Why did Portland helicopter have to go to Somerset - simple there was no SAR air-cover available from a nearer point as those services were already committed.

We need to all get onto the government, through Mr Drax's e-petition, and get this plan scrapped at the earliest opportunity - worry about lives lost, not bean-counters in Whitehall offices.

Micke12 wrote:

ManOnTheSilverMounta

in wrote:
...waits for the barrage of posts about why we should keep the helicopter, with barely a mention of the real tragedy.

Do you really think we are all heartless people that are trying to save our chopper. My heart goes out t the family involved in such a tragedy. Accidents happen, as here, and that is why we must never reduce the capability of the rescue services, whatever particular part of the service is needed. Thesepeopel have lost their cid to a cruel and unfeling sea.

From what you have said, you feel that the helicopter and/or the other coastal rescue services are not worth the money, and that for sure puts you in a minority.

Portland helicopter is not only used for local rescues, as has been proven by this story, but has also been used many other times in different areas of the southwest. Take Boscastle, for example. The helicopter did such an amazing job on that mission and many lives were saved, that would have been lost if this helicopter had not been available.

With the landslides we have been having recently, and the local flooding in the areas around the Portland base, I think most of us would accept that the weather is making our lives more and more treacherous these days, and that in itself is a good argument for the governmnet to hold off on these cuts.

If, through the removal of this service, one person should die, then I suggest that the person's family should consider suing the government. The decision to take out the helicopter, and the Coast Guard SAR base on Weymouth Quay, has been made with little or no consultation with the local people who rely on these services in the mai, but as proven over the weekend. Why did Portland helicopter have to go to Somerset - simple there was no SAR air-cover available from a nearer point as those services were already committed.

We need to all get onto the government, through Mr Drax's e-petition, and get this plan scrapped at the earliest opportunity - worry about lives lost, not bean-counters in Whitehall offices.

couldnt have put it better myself, some on here have said I'm bitter with some of the posts I made while I was actually quite ill with an undiagnosed chest infection, so I wasnt at my best but "ManOnTheSiverMounta
in" what is your excuse for that pathetic remark? the item merely reinforces the fact that the helicopter was there and able to assist which even for a person with one brain cell, would indicate that if it wasnt there it couldnt have possibly, saving potential pounds at the expense of LIFE? how many peers at £300+ a day for simply turning up could we dispense with and save the same?
every time there is a rescue by this helicopter that gets reported, someone pipes up denying its usefulness, almost as if they have vested interest in being rid of it, you would think being a busy seaside and fishing port, that the WHOLE population would be pleased to have it and fight for it! whats occurring? is it just a case of backbiting and slagging off anything? Pity there isnt a barrage of posts supporting the thing instead of just that one moaning about people who speak up for it, sad, a child is most likely dead BUT if that helicopter had found the child, then what? still the voice of denyalists? probably so from past experience reading items on this forum, then, when its gone and somebody dies because it wasnt there, what then? answer that, without sarcasm, if anybody on here can.

ManOnTheSilverMounta
in wrote:
...waits for the barrage of posts about why we should keep the helicopter, with barely a mention of the real tragedy.

Crass at best.

A young lad has lost his life and you post something like that!

My sincere condolences to the family who must be devastated by this tragic accident.