Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust

The Government of Tasmania provides a world-class rescue helicopter service to those who live, work and visit Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust supports this service, by fundraising, donation, sponsorship and assigning naming rights.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter is there for you every minute
of everyday.

The year so far has certainly been busy with 35 missions flown to the end of March 2012.

These included Medivacs or Medical Evacuation of patients suffering road trauma, illness and life threatening injuries, there have also been rescues of those enjoying the outdoors of Tasmania.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter has responded to calls from as far as Cradle Mountain, Cockle Creek and the East Coast. A particularly difficult response was to a yacht in distress off  Flinders Island in early April where three men were rescued and transported to St Helens for treatment. The response required the use of the Police Vessel 'Van Diemen' because of the winds gusting to 30 knots and extremely rough conditions.

The Tasmanian Air Rescue Trust continues its support through the provision of first class equipment and specialised training of dedicated air crew.

AGFEST 2012

Rain did not dampen the enthusiasm of the crowds that attended AGFEST on the first day of this major event.

A steady procession saw patrons flowing through the Emergency Service marquee of the "Safer Tasmania" theme and again on each hour we were able to draw a lucky winner in our competion for a radio controlled model helicopter.

Over the three days more than 1100 entries were made and 21 happy winners drawn to promote the work of the Trust in supporting the Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service.

Bruny Island search hoax

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was involved in a six hour search that turned out to be a hoax call to 000 on Monday 19 March. Uniformed police, search and rescue personnel the Bruny Island police vessel and the PV Dauntless were all involved until the search was aborted without finding any trace of the supposed vessel in distress. Subsequently, a young man was located and charged with several offences.