Channel Island air search call outs double

The service was called on 32 occasions during 2024

Channel Islands Air Search call outs have doubled, an annual report by the service has revealed.

In total, the service was called on 32 times during 2024 – an average of one callout every 11.4 days.

That was an increase from the 16 call-outs in 2023.

The annual report detailed that calls ranged from missing people on land to overdue vessels at sea.

Of those 32 calls in 2024, the crew was stood down before take-off on eight occasions, where the casualty had been located prior to the aircraft taking off.

In addition to the 32 calls for service, the crew took part in 56 flight exercises, monthly ground training sessions, and numerous fundraising events and presentations, including hangar visits.

There are currently 20 voluntary crew members, which includes pilots, search directors and observers.

Collectively, the crew has given more than 2,050 hours of voluntary service over the year.

The annual report said fundraising remained a challenge.

It said could be due to a trend for large corporate donations to be steered towards wellbeing and sustainability projects, rather than for running costs for charities like search and rescue.

The annual report also confirmed running costs were in the region of £300,000 per annum.