17/05/2026
🚁 Today, Donegal Mountain Rescue Team welcomed the crew of Rescue 118, the Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter based at Sligo for a joint training day, that was as valuable as it was wet!
Rescue 118 recently transitioned to the brand-new Leonardo AW189, replacing the Sikorsky S-92 that many of us had grown familiar with over the years. Today was our opportunity to get properly acquainted with it, learning the aircraft's layout, rescue configuration, and operating procedures from the people who fly and crew her every day.
Training covered two things: winch hoisting: getting team members up into the aircraft safely and efficiently, and the high line: the tether rope used to control rotation and prevent personnel from spinning during the hoist. Both skills are critical to effective mountain rescue operations, and working through them in a live aircraft environment, with Rescue 118's own crew guiding us, is irreplaceable experience.
As for the weather, well. The Sligo crew apparently brought the Atlantic with them. The rain was relentless and barely let up all day. It did make for thoroughly realistic training conditions.
Thanks to everyone who turned out and got stuck in today. And a very special thank you to the four-person crew of Rescue 118 — two pilots and two winchmen — who gave their time and expertise. And thanks also MRSC (Marine Rescue Coordination Centre Malin Head) Malin Head Coast Guard for helping coordinate today.
