771 Squadron, The Helicopter Unit based at RNAS Culdrose near Helston in Cornwall has been named as the busiest Search and Rescue Navy Unit in the Country.
A helicopter from the base can be scrambled on request of the emergency services and in particular, HM Coastguards, regionally based in Falmouth. The Isles of Scilly fall within the zone covered by the rescue team. The squadron have carried out an unusually high number of outings this year, including transporting a pregnant St. Agnes woman, Niki Burns, to hospital on the mainland in order to give birth. She ended up giving birth on board the helicopter half way to Lands End, making military history.
The Sea King helicopters which are based at Culdrose (or HMS Seahawk) have a range of about 200 miles which means they can fly as far as the Irish and French Coasts to rescue any kind of vessel. They have often been scrambled to assist the St. Marys lifeboat as the above picture is of a helicopter about to partake in such a manoeuvre. This shot was filmed by Scilly News when the St. Marys lifeboat ‘The Whiteheads’ and a Royal Navy helicopter from Culdrose was about to link up during an incident involving the Team Philips Catamaran skippered by Pete Goss.
Helicopters are also scrambled to rescue crew of stricken vessels and locals often report seeing the Sea King helicopters flying out towards the Western Rocks when the weather turns.
The increase in callouts is attributed to the fact that the squadron are attending more callouts within the community such as assisting the police at road traffic accidents and other emergencies in inaccessible areas.