Boulmer rescues hit by shortages

Two Sea Kings are based at RAF Boulmer

Helicopter rescue operations from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland are being disrupted by a shortage of equipment and crews, said MP Alan Beith.

The airbase's two Sea Kings have been temporarily grounded at night, leaving other UK bases to provide support.

Mr Beith, the Lib Dem MP for Berwick, claimed the move could significantly reduce response times.

A spokesman for the MoD said night cover at the base, suspended last week, would resume on Wednesday.

Mr Beith said: "It's quite often the case that there are not sufficient crews available or sufficient helicopters in working order to be operated.

"The wonderful work that the crews do is being limited both in the equipment side and shortage of crews."

'Standard practice'

The MoD spokesman said: "UK search and rescue helicopter units operate a 24-hour service.

"If a helicopter unit is operating at a reduced capability for any reason an adjacent search and rescue unit will provide the necessary overlapping cover.

"This provision is currently standard practice and occurs routinely.

"Night-time closure at RAF Boulmer was a temporary measure and will be resumed from Wednesday."

The base's two Sea Kings typically carry out rescues in north-east England, south-east Scotland and the Lake District.

Under government plans, cover from Boulmer will be reduced to "daytime only" from 2012, when a private consortium takes over the UK's helicopter rescue service.