The Air Corps search and rescue helicopter in the north-west was taken off duty earlier this week when it was discovered that lifejackets on board were beyond their service dates.
Three of four life-jackets found to be overdue for inspection at Finner camp, Co Donegal, were part of the air crew's safety kit. The life-jackets are standard equipment for the pilots and winching crew if the helicopter had to ditch in the sea.
The safety check had been ordered by the Defence Forces Chief-of-Staff on July 2nd, after PDFORRA claimed the lives of search and rescue crews were being put at risk by defective equipment.
The union highlighted its concerns on the fourth anniversary of the Tramore Dauphin air crash, in which four airmen died when returning from a rescue mission. Following the discovery at Finner, Malin Head Coastguard was informed the detachment was not available for offshore operations from 8.30 p.m. until last light on the night of July 2nd.
The Dauphin at Finner has not been available for night missions for some weeks due to a problem with its radar.
The Defence Forces' press office confirmed that the helicopter was restricted and said an arrangement was made with the Air Corps detachment at Sligo to fly down and pick up replacement life-jackets if there was an emergency call-out.
There was no call-out during the affected hours, and replacement life-jackets have now been provided.
However, PDFORRA said it is also concerned about the safety of harness equipment used by winchmen. On June 22nd last, a winchman became detached from the hook linking him to the hoist cable during the rescue of a diver with bends some 12 miles off Fanad Head, Co Donegal. The winchman fell 10 feet into the sea, but was later picked up.
The press office confirmed that this incident took place, but said it is being fully investigated and described it as a "procedural lapse". The spokesman said all flight safety equipment had been passed by the Air Corps flight safety officer as safe and serviceable. The winchman's task is the most dangerous in any search and rescue mission, and PDFORRA sources said the equipment issue dates back to 1995 when an internal military report described it as "unacceptable" that personnel were being asked to undertake already dangerous missions with inferior gear. Army sources said that the issue relates to a claim by winching crews for increased pay, following the Government's decision to lease a Sikorsky S-61 medium-lift helicopter for use by the Air Corps in the north-west. The Sikorsky is due to come into service at Sligo airport on July 14th for daylight missions, and for night-time rescue from October next.
PDFORRA said the safety issue is completely separate from the pay issue, which is currently in arbitration.
