Organisation

Channel Islands Air Search

CIAS is a voluntary organisation formed for the primary purpose of assisting in the saving of lives at sea.  It is a rapid response service, with comprehensive search and limited rescue capability.  The Service's aircraft will operate under the direction of any of the recognised SAR authorities, and will work in close conjunction with lifeboats, helicopters or other vessels or aircraft.  The aircraft has the capability to act as on-scene commander, if so tasked, communicating as required by aeronautical and marine VHF radio. 

CIAS is a registered charity in Jersey (no. 104) and Guernsey (no. 53). The operation is overseen by a number of Trustees resident in the Channel Islands.  A Trust controls two companies incorporated in Guernsey with limited liability:-

Channel Islands Air Search Limited 

This company owns the aircraft and some other assets of the Service.  The joint patrons of the Service are Their Excellencies the Lt Governors of the Islands of Jersey and Guernsey.  The operational aspects of the organisation are administered by a small team comprising the Chief Officer, Senior Search Director, Senior Pilot and Senior Observer, with the Chief Officer reporting to the Trustees, as shown in the diagram below:- 

 CIAS Hangarage Limited

This company owns the hangar which was built at Guernsey Airport in 1995 and houses the aircraft, operations room, crew room and engineer's workshop, changing, toilet and shower accommodation.

Hangar at Guernsey Airport

The crew establishment is 26 or equal to 5.2 aircraft crews.  Within this establishment is provision for 7 pilots, each of whom must hold full professional licences or have held the military equivalent with a current civilian licence, and have a minimum of 2,000 hours of flying experience, and 7 Search Directors (Navigators), who are fully trained in the navigation and management of searches.

The Search Director is responsible for the management of the search.  The Pilot, as Aircraft Commander, is responsible for the safety of the aircraft.  The remaining establishment consists of Observers who are trained in observation techniques and the use of the various items of equipment listed in this website and an Engineer. 

The crew is so organised that both Pilots and Search Directors can double up as Observers.  The first five suitably qualified members responding to a call will normally make up the initial crew, with those remaining standing by as replacements for a subsequent search, should one be required.

The Service employs an Engineer, whose responsibilities include routine pre-flight checks on the aircraft and maintaining the aircraft, its equipment, and the hangar and its facilities in top order.   

With the exception of the Engineer, all crew members serve their time on training and service as servants of the company but without remuneration.