Key Facts
| Current Title: |
| Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad |
| English Title: |
| Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad |
| Abbreviation: |
| SPRS |
| First Established: |
| ? |
| ICAO Code: |
| (None) |
| Country: |
| Australia |
| Status: |
| Disbanded |
History
Narrative Summary
Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad is a not-for-profit independent marine search and rescue service. It’s main area of operation is the southern end of Port Phillip Bay and the surf coasts of Bass Strait, south of Melbourne. During the early 1970s the SPRS had an agreement with Jayrow helicopters to utilise a Bell 47 helicopter contracted to fly newspapers to the peninsula for searches when not otherwise being used. This proved very successful and following a fundraising campaign the SPRS purchased its own Bell 47J model helicopter for search and rescue purposes. This helicopter was later replaced by a Bell 206B JetRanger which was unfortunately lost in an accident in 1994. The state government donated a new Bell 206L LongRanger later that year to replace it. By 2010 the helicopter was only receiving a few call-outs each year, and so the SPRS decided to cease helicopter operations. The helicopter was sold in 2010.
Key Dates
| 1967 | Mornington Peninsula Emergency Group. | |
| 1970 | Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad formally established. | |
| 1976 | Start of helicopter operations. | |
| 1994 | Helicopter lost in an accident. | |
| 1994 | Replacement helicopter donated. | |
| July 2010 | End of helicopter operations. |
Current Status
The SPRS helicopter ceased operations in July 2010.
Future Plans
No plans known.
Markings
Special Markings
The SPRS Helicopter flew in a white and blue colour scheme. RESCUE titles were shown on the forward fuselage and a large SPRS logo displayed on the rear fuselage.
Aircraft Serial Numbers
The SPRS helicopter carried an Australian civil aircraft registration, i.e. Bell 206 VH-BLV.
Unit/Base Codes
Coding system not used.
Aircraft
Aircraft Designations
None – Manufacturers designations used
Current Aircraft Inventory
Not applicable.
All-Time Aircraft Used List
| Aircraft Type | Quantity | Service Entry | Out of Service | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bell 47J | 1 | 1976 | ? | USA |
| Bell 206B JetRanger | 1 | ? | 1994 | USA |
| Bell 206L LongRanger | 1 | 1994 | 2010 | USA |
Aircraft NOT Used
No false reports known.
Aircraft Losses and Incidents
The first Bell 206B crashed into Port Philip Bay in 1994.
Organisation
Main Headquarters
SOUTHERN PENINSULA RESCUE SQUAD INC, P.O. Box 221, Blairgowrie 3942.
Organisational Structure
No subordinate units.
Current Unit Assignments
No subordinate units.
Historical Unit Assignments
Not applicable.
All-Time Flying Units List
Not applicable.
Air Bases
Current Air Bases
Not applicable.
All-Time Air Bases Used List
The SPRS helicopter was based at Sorrento.
More Information
Books
None known.
Magazines
None known.
Websites
Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad
Facebook: Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad
Youtube: Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad helicopter
Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad to cease helicopter operations
gift rescue chopper up for sale
Flickr: Southern Peninsula Rescue Squad