Search and rescue centre takes off in Hampshire

Requiring more than 340t of structural steelwork, a Search and Rescue (SAR) Training Centre will soon be operational in Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire.

Owned by Bristow, the company that operates search and rescue helicopters on behalf of HM Government’s Coastguard, the SAR Training Centre is located at Daedalus Airport, a former Royal Navy establishment.

On completion, the new centre will include a simulation hall with a training pool and helicopter rescue hoist, teaching classrooms, brief/debrief rooms, and medical training areas, as well as breakout and ancillary spaces.

Working on behalf of main contractor Mildren Construction, Snashall Steel Fabrications is fabricating, supplying and erecting the steelwork.

The focal point of the project is the rescue hoist trainer (RHT) building, which contains a pool measuring 30m-long x 17m-wide and 4m-deep.

It is housed inside a large portal-framed structure that reaches a height of 23m-high.

Rescues at sea will be replicated with a mock helicopter hung from an overhead crane’s hoist, while fans, located in the pool’s concrete structure will recreate various sea conditions. There will also be a climbing wall to provide simulated cliff-face rescue operations.

The SAR Training Centre is due to be complete by the end of the year.