Committee hears of 'unsafe' working conditions at Sligo Coastguard Search & Rescue

There are further claims that working conditions at Sligo Coastguard Search and Rescue are unfair and unsafe.It comes as the Government is again being urged intervene to end the long-standing use of factoring in the Coast Guard helicopter service.The immediate-readiness model to the Sligo base is set to be introduced from 1st February, will mean crews must remain on site for 24-hour duty periods, ready to launch within 15 minutes.However, The Irish Aviation Authority continues to permit operators to factor hours – a practice that records significantly fewer hours than those actually worked.As a result, full 24-hour shifts may be recorded as little as 16.5 hours.The issue is being discussed at a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport today.During an exchange, Sligo Senator Nessa Cosgrove asked a series of questions to Philip Bartlett Director of Bristow Ireland Limited who crews staying on site for 24 hours is positive: