Search and Rescue

The Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm provide Search and Rescue cover to large sections of the United Kingdom coastline, 24 hours a day and 365 days per year, typically at 15 minutes notice. Using Sea King helicopters 771 Naval Air Squadron is based at RNAS Culdrose. The Squadron is capable of operating within a 200 nautical mile radius of Culdrose. They carry out over 200 rescues a year, ranging from long range medical evacuation from ships at sea, assistance to vessels in distress, to the safe recovery of stranded cliff fallers, swimmers, divers and surfers. The SAR flight at HMS Gannet, Prestwick, is the busiest in the UK.

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