The UK Government has moved to allay fears that fishermen and mountaineers will have to take out expensive insurance to cover themselves against the cost of being rescued by helicopters.
Coalition ministers are expected to make an announcement today on plans to “outsource” search and rescue (SAR) operations currently run by the RAF, Royal Navy and civilian aircraft working under contract to the coastguard.
The Soteria consortium, which includes helicopter operator CHC, is the favourite to take over. CHC already provides rescue services for the coastguard from Shetland and Stornoway in the Western Isles.
It would replace elderly Sea King helicopters operated by service crews with longer-range and faster Sikorsky choppers operated from fewer bases.
A spokesman for the UK Government’s Department for Transport said an announcement on the future of the SAR service would be made “shortly”.
He added: “There are no plans to introduce charges.”
And Scottish Mountain Rescue Committee chairman Alfie Ingram said: “It is not going to happen – not in our lifetime.
“The possibility of charging is not on the agenda.”
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