Airport crash rescue response time

Summary

The requester asked for RNLI response times and safety equipment details for aircraft water rescues at the Isle of Man airport following the removal of the airport rescue boat in 2019. The Department of Infrastructure disclosed that it does not hold this information because the RNLI is an independent charity, though it confirmed the existence of two Memoranda of Understanding regarding search and rescue cooperation.

Key Facts

• The airport rescue boat was taken out of service in 2019.
• The Department of Infrastructure does not hold information on RNLI response times or specific safety equipment.
• The RNLI is an independent charitable organisation outside the Department's remit.
• Two Memoranda of Understanding exist between the Department and external organisations including the RNLI.
• The MoUs do not contain specific operational details of RNLI procedures.

Data Disclosed

• 2019
• 2025-02-04
• 2025-02-13
• 4420141
• runways 08 and 21
• Freedom of Information Act 2015

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held by the authority

Original Request

In 2019 the airport rescue boat was taken out of service. The Minister, Mr Crookall, stated that water rescues would be undertaken by the RNLI. 1. What is the expected elapsed time between the alarm being raised and an RNLI boat reaching the accident site for an aircraft off the end of and into the water at runways 08 and 21? 2. What specific safety equipment would that boat carry for handling a commercial passenger aircraft accident into water? Thanks *Redacted*

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

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

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

Our ref: 4420141 13 February 2025

Dear ###

We write further to your request, received 4 February 2025, which states:

"In 2019 the airport rescue boat was taken out of service. The Minister, Mr Crookall, stated that water rescues would be undertaken by the RNLI.

1. What is the expected elapsed time between the alarm being raised and an RNLI boat reaching the accident site for an aircraft off the end of and into the water at runways 08 and 21?

2. What specific safety equipment would that boat carry for handling a commercial passenger aircraft accident into water?

Thanks Redacted"

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Department of Infrastructure does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find some of the information that you have requested.

The RLNI is an independent charitable organisation whose operations do not fall within the remit of the Department, and we therefore do not hold the information requested relating to expected response times and the specific safety equipment that would be utilised in the event referenced in your request.

The Department is party to two Memoranda of Understanding (listed below) relating to the co-operative arrangements between the Department and several external organisations, including the RNLI, however these do not contain specific operational details of RNLI procedures.

1. Memorandum of Understanding between Department of Infrastructure, Isle of Man Government and Department for Enterprise, Isle of Man Government and The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, United Kingdom Government in respect of the conduct of search and rescue, maritime pollution and salvage incidents and the exchange of maritime safety information & meteorological information in the Manx territorial sea and airspace.

2. Memorandum of Understanding between Isle of Man Harbours Division and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution on co-operation for search and rescue within Isle of Man search and rescue region (Manx territorial waters).

Please quote the reference number 4420141 in any future communications.

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I will now close your request as of this date.