Non-operational status of Isle of Man Airport Inshore Rescue Boat

Summary

A request was made regarding the non-operational status of the Isle of Man Airport Inshore Rescue Boat, to which the Department of Infrastructure responded that the vessel has been out of service since 2013 due to age and that the new boat's deployment is delayed by pandemic-related training issues.

Key Facts

• The Airport has been without an operational Inshore Rescue Boat (IRB) since 2013.
• The original boat was withdrawn from service due to its age and condition.
• A replacement craft arrived on the island in late 2019.
• Staff training to Royal Yacht Association standards is required before the new boat can be deployed.
• The IRB is designed to deliver buoyancy aids for water landings, not to rescue persons from the sea.

Data Disclosed

• 2013
• late 2019
• 18 August 2021
• 2 September 2021
• 1954737

Original Request

I am aware that the Inshore Rescue Boat at the Isle of Man Airport is not operational, I would like to know: Why is it not operational? When it became non-operational? What needs to be done to make it operational? When can we expect it to return to full operational status? I have raised this issue directly with the Deputy Airport Director and been informed that he will not discuss this issue outside of the Airport Fire Service. Thank you.

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Department of Infrastructure Sea Terminal Building, Douglas, Isle of Man, IM1 2RF

Contact: FOI Response Team/TL/PN Telephone: (01624) 686785 Email: dpo-doi@gov.im

Our ref: 1954737 2 September 2021

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 18 August 2021 and which states:

"I am aware that the Inshore Rescue Boat at the Isle of Man Airport is not operational, I would like to know: 1. Why is it not operational? 2. When it became non-operational? 3. What needs to be done to make it operational? 4. When can we expect it to return to full operational status? I have raised this issue directly with the Deputy Airport Director and been informed that he will not discuss this issue outside of the Airport Fire Service."

Our response to your request is as follows: 1. The staff need to undertake approved training, which has been delayed by the Pandemic. 2. The Airport has been without an operational IRB since 2013, owing to the original boats age and condition it was withdrawn from service and was eventually replaced in late 2019 when the new craft arrived on Island. 3. The Airport’s Fire Service need to complete training to the Royal Yacht Association standards before the boat can be deployed operationally. Appropriate training has been delayed by the COVID Pandemic, the Airport’s Fire Service is currently working with a training provider to develop a programme for staff.
4. The IRB is a support boat designed to deliver buoyancy aids to passengers in the event of an aircraft landing on water, and is only deployed when the Incident Commander deems it appropriate. It is not designed to rescue persons from the sea, this remit rests with the RNLI and Coastguard.

Please quote the reference number 1954737 in any future communications.

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