Soteria Search and Rescue
Encyclopedia
Soteria Search and Rescue is a British based consortium
which, from February 2010 to February 2011 was the preferred bidder for the contract to run all UK civilian search and rescue
helicopter
services from 2012 onwards.
s currently in use, although they have suggested that crews may, at least partially, still be made up of military personnel
. This programme was name SAR-H.
, Department for Transport
and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
to create a single helicopter SAR programme in the UK, the group is a consortium of four companies, each providing their own area of expertise, namely:
, already a proven airframe in Search and Rescue
(SAR) operations. Soteria projected to utilise a fleet of 24 S-92s to deliver the SAR-H service from 12 bases around the UK.
In February 2010, Soteria SAR was announced as the preferred bidder for the UK SAR-H programme.
officer who now worked for CHC Helicopter
had passed commercially sensitive information on how the Ministry of Defence
would commercially assess the bids. MoD Police are now investigating how the information came into the hands of CHC and Soteria.
Consortium
A consortium is an association of two or more individuals, companies, organizations or governments with the objective of participating in a common activity or pooling their resources for achieving a common goal....
which, from February 2010 to February 2011 was the preferred bidder for the contract to run all UK civilian search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
services from 2012 onwards.
History
In 2006, the UK Government announced controversial plans to effectively privatise provision of search and rescue helicopters in order to replace the aging Westland Sea KingWestland Sea King
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...
s currently in use, although they have suggested that crews may, at least partially, still be made up of military personnel
Military personnel
Military personnel is a blanket term used to refer to members of any armed force. Usually, military personnel are divided into branches of service roughly defined by certain circumstances of the deployment of the personnel. Those who serve in a typical large land force are soldiers, making up an...
. This programme was name SAR-H.
Formation
Formed to take part in a competitive process announced in 2006 by the British Ministry of DefenceMinistry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
, Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is a UK executive agency working to prevent the loss of lives at sea and is responsible for implementing British and International maritime law and safety policy.This involves coordinating search and rescue at sea through Her Majesty's Coastguard , ensuring that...
to create a single helicopter SAR programme in the UK, the group is a consortium of four companies, each providing their own area of expertise, namely:
- CHC HelicopterCHC HelicopterCHC Helicopter is one of the world’s largest helicopter services company specializing in: Transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms; Civilian search and rescue services; Helicopter maintenance repair and overhaul...
- Thales GroupThales GroupThe Thales Group is a French electronics company delivering information systems and services for the aerospace, defense, transportation and security markets...
- SikorskySikorsky AircraftThe Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
- Royal Bank of ScotlandRoyal Bank of ScotlandThe Royal Bank of Scotland Group is a British banking and insurance holding company in which the UK Government holds an 84% stake. This stake is held and managed through UK Financial Investments Limited, whose voting rights are limited to 75% in order for the bank to retain its listing on the...
(withdrew from the consortium in late 2010)
Bid process
The aircraft chosen by Soteria was the Sikorsky S-92Sikorsky S-92
The Sikorsky S-92 is a four-bladed twin-engine medium-lift helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft for the civil and military helicopter market. The S-92 was developed from the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter and has similar parts such as flight control and rotor systems.The H-92 Superhawk is a military...
, already a proven airframe in Search and Rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
(SAR) operations. Soteria projected to utilise a fleet of 24 S-92s to deliver the SAR-H service from 12 bases around the UK.
In February 2010, Soteria SAR was announced as the preferred bidder for the UK SAR-H programme.
Process halted
On 8 February 2011, days before the contract was due to be signed, the UK Government halted the process after Soteria admitted that a former Royal Air ForceRoyal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
officer who now worked for CHC Helicopter
CHC Helicopter
CHC Helicopter is one of the world’s largest helicopter services company specializing in: Transportation to offshore oil and gas platforms; Civilian search and rescue services; Helicopter maintenance repair and overhaul...
had passed commercially sensitive information on how the Ministry of Defence
Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)
The Ministry of Defence is the United Kingdom government department responsible for implementation of government defence policy and is the headquarters of the British Armed Forces....
would commercially assess the bids. MoD Police are now investigating how the information came into the hands of CHC and Soteria.