Looking ahead to the rest of 2025, the entirely charitably funded CIAS will be looking to update some of the vital software programmes that aid their search and rescue work.
This follows a busy 2024 which saw the CIAS crew dispatched to help those in need locally and further out, most often with positive resolutions.
2024 Highlights
The role that CIAS plays in island life was as important last year as it always is.
A spokesperson for the voluntary service – known as the ‘eyes in the sky’ – said its crew were called out more than ever before, demonstrating its importance.
“Being part of multi-agency emergency response teams, including pan-Channel Islands, UK and France, for a record 30 searches in 2024 (compared with 16 in 2023)” was a highlight for the year the spokesperson said.
Pictured: The Lions’ Pride in Alderney.
They also highlighted the number of hangar visits which were hosted to raise awareness of the work that Air Search does, and the continued support it receives by individuals, and other forms of charitable donations.
This included receiving a grant through the Association of Jersey Charities towards the cost of a new propellor for the Lion’s Pride.
It also included being chosen by Guernsey Round Table as beneficiary charity for St Peter Port Harbour Carnival, and by Guernsey Swimming Club as one of three beneficiary charities of the Open Castle Charity Swim.
These fundraising commitments helped to fund the CIAS throughout the 12 months and beyond, with the annual costs around £300,000 each year.
Challenges
With fundraising so important to all third sector organisations, the CIAS says it is no different in finding that difficult.
Coming at a time when individual’s are facing increasing costs, the call for funding is a universal challenge.
The CIAS spokesperson said that during 2024, “raising adequate funds to cover the operating costs” was their biggest challenge and despite being served by a team of dedicated volunteers who operate its services in the sky and on the ground, they still need support to meet these costs.
2025 Priorities
The CIAS – like other third sector and emergency organisations – doesn’t take any time off for Christmas and New Year.
Volunteers remained on call throughout the festive season, with two reported call outs either side of the break – one on 22 December and one on 6 January.
On 22 December, a French windsurfer was rescued after CIAS spent nearly four hours looking for them, while on 6 December two people were rescued from a capsized dingy south of St Martin’s Point in windy conditions.
While it is “business as usual” in that sense, the priority list for 2025 will see CIAS focus on funding upgrades to its current systems.
“We are very keen to source funding for various items in 2025, including a powerful update to Cartenav software used with Lions’ Pride’s infra-red camera; Furuno marine radar; and an aircraft tug,” said a spokesperson for the charity.
Pictured top: Taken by Rob Le Page.