OHGI begins training Guyanese SAR rear crew

OHGI has confirmed that the team has now commenced training for their primary roles as rear crew for its SAR operations. The team is expected to be fully operational by mid-2024.

Recruiting the six new team members required a selection process that took several months, with advertisements placed in the local media. The team are: Curt Mendonca, Somant Heeralall, Daniel Yorris, Ishwar Parbhu, Kevin Sawh, and Johnelle Ogle.

Initially, the crew will be trained to operate as rescue swimmers, before moving on to training as winch operators. The course will also teach them to “act as an observer during SAR missions” and how to “safely rescue persons or casualties from vessels, offshore installations, water, or challenging jungle terrain”.

The training includes a trip to a dedicated Offshore Training Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, as well as regular on-the-job training in Guyana.

Training for the team’s secondary role of supporting aviation security has also already begun, as has familiarizing them with Omni Helicopters’ operations, based at Ogle Airport.

OHGI announced that it had completed the phasing-in of the Sikorsky S-92A for its SAR services in July 2023.