The Norwegian Government announced that it will set a new location for a new search and rescue base to Tromsø, following the increased use of shipping in the Arctic.
As the Barents Observer reports, Ingvil Smines Tybring-Gjedde, Minister of Public Security, highlighted the ideal location of Tromsø, as it has been already equipped with resources to support the new helicopter base, like fire brigades with smoke divers, special police squads, SAR dogs and medical infrastructure.
Tromsø is located on the northern coast to the Norwegian Sea, an addition to another two rescue bases in northern Norway; one in Bodø and the SAR helicopter base at Banak airport in Finnmark.
Ingvil Smines Tybring-Gjedde added that they aim to launch the new SAR-helicopter base during 2022.
The Norwegian Ministry of Public Security owns 12 Sea King helicopters, which are operated by the Norwegian Air Forces’ 330 Squadron. Introduced first time in 1973, the old SAR helicopters are soon to be replaced with the newer AW101.
Moreover, the Government also referred to an enhanced VHF radio coverage for a two-way communication between the vessel and the rescue forces, in the possibility of an emergency.
‘We suggest to establish HF-coverage in northern waters up to the North Pole to secure emergency communication for shipping in these areas’, Minister Smines Tybring-Gjedde added.
Following the proposal of a better communication, the Government had announced in June an agreement with the state-owned company Space Norway to address the unstable broadband communication in the High North using satellites.