Home   About Us   Forum   Main Site About Us CI Air Search is a voluntary service providing a rapid response airborne search and rescue service in Channel Island waters. The service operates a 24 hour, 365 day basis in all weathers and provides service to the rescue centres of the Channel Islands, the French CROSSMA and CROSSCO centres on the adjoining French coast and, on occasions, the English Coastguards. It provides a rapid response search capability in the 4,000 square miles of water surrounding the Channel Islands and the adjacent French coast. This area is notorious for strong tides, changeable weather, large seas and submerged reefs. It is also one of Europe's highest density areas for leisure boaters. A yachtman's paradise but also potentially a yachtman's graveyard. The CIAS Islander aircraft operates in conjunction with Lifeboats, Military helicopters and other rescue craft. It is equipped with search radar, night vision, smoke floats, radio homing and loud hailer system, and an air dropable life raft. The aircraft is operated by a volunteer crew and is based at Guernsey airport where it occupies its own purpose built hangar.