Isle of Wight Search and Rescue (WightSAR) has called sharing a new radio mast at Ventnor a 'game-changer' that will 'save lives.'

The mast is owned by National Air Traffic Services (NATS) and forms part of the national strategic partnership, announced between NATS and Shared Access in July 2020. 

Shared Access, an independent owner and operator of wireless infrastructure, has now expanded coverage for WightSAR.

WightSAR helps Isle of Wight emergency crews search for missing people, providing what Hampshire Constabulary called 'significant support'.

The team had been able to cover a large much of the Island through existing radio communication networks, but the area around Ventnor, Luccombe and the Undercliff had proved to be be problematic.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Dean Terrett, Chairman of WightSAR said: “This is a game-changer for us. The additional connectivity will unquestionably save lives.

"We are called to this area a lot – and in many instances due to the terrain we have found ourselves with neither radio signal nor mobile phone coverage.

The team had found other ways around the problem - but it meant tying up a key piece of kit.

Dean said: "In the past we have had to place one of our vehicles and mast in the area to relay critical communications, which meant the vehicle couldn’t be used for other purposes.

"This is a big step up for us. It increases the safety for our volunteer operatives and completely changes the way that we can work on the island.”

Sam Jackman, Chief Development Officer at Shared Access said: “When WightSAR and RAYNET-UK approached us about the site independently and explained the tangible benefits that additional coverage would bring to both organisations, we jumped at the chance to help.  

"The new radio mast installation will help improve capacity and radio coverage over the Isle of Wight, the coastline and Hampshire as a whole.”

The radio mast site used to house equipment there in the 80s but was subsequently decommissioned.

RAYNET-UK is the UK’s national voluntary communications service, providing radio communication support for both the statutory and volunteer emergency service organisations.

Mike Collins, Infrastructure Officer at Isle of Wight Council (RAYNET-UK) said: “The site that Shared Access has utilised is an exceptionally good communications point.

"We’ve been desperate to increase coverage of the island for a long time, but as a voluntary organisation it was beyond our means."

Isle of Wight County Press:

"Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police utilise the support of volunteer search and rescue organisations to assist with high risk missing person searches on a regular basis," said David Matthews, Police Search Advisor (PolSA) at Hampshire Constabulary:  

"Isle of Wight Search and Rescue provide police here on the Island with a significant amount of support in the event of such incidents.

"They provide a pool of committed and highly trained search personnel along with team leaders, search managers and specialist equipment. 

"They are fully self-sufficient and available 24/7 to be deployed to support these critical matters that are often a matter of life and death.”