Search and Rescue

Based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall and Prestwick in Scotland, Royal Navy helicopters are constantly available and fly missions that are as varied as they are far-reaching.

HMS Gannet (Prestwick)

Gannet's SAR flight provides 24-hour military and civilian search and rescue across a large area of Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland.

Tasking is varied and ranges from recovering fallen climbers in winter snow to rescuing injured fishermen up to 200 miles offshore.

Additionally, it is essential in providing an important medical evacuation service to the many island communities on Scotland's West coast.

With 379 total call-outs and 324 people rescued in 2010 alone, Gannet SAR flight is the busiest in the UK. One of a number of records this SAR squadron holds.

771 NAS Culdrose (Cornwall)

In Cornwall SAR coverage extends over the equally hazardous and extremely busy areas of Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly, the Western English Channel and the Southwest Approaches. Typical missions include long range medical evacuation from ships at sea, assistance to vessels in distress, cliff fallers, swimmers, divers and surfers, to name just a few.

771 Squadron personnel regularly put their own lives at risk in order to save others and over the years they have received many awards for bravery, and been cited for their exceptional skill and bravery during challenging rescues in appalling weather conditions.

Individual honours have included the George Medal, Queen's Commendations for Bravery, and both the Guild of Air Pilots and Navigators, Prince Philip Rescue Award and the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society's Edward & Maisie Lewis Award have been presented to crews for outstanding rescues.