Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to ensure that the standard of training for air-sea rescue, formerly provided by the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force, is maintained under the contract with Bristow Group.

The standard of training provided by Bristow Helicopters for its search and rescue (SAR) helicopter crews is scrutinised in two separate ways. Firstly, as a civil helicopter operator, Bristow Helicopters is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Bristow must demonstrate to the CAA that its crews have at least the minimum standard of training the regulator requires for the SAR services Bristow provides to the Government. Secondly, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency will regularly audit Bristow’s contractual compliance with its contract specification, much of which mirrors the military’s SAR standards.