The Lakes District Air Rescue Trust (LDART) commenced formal operations in 1991. It provided 24/7 emergency and aerial rescue services over a large area encompassing much of the southern region of New Zealand until 1 November 2018.. It now provides support for essential dedicated services In emergency medical helicopter responses and missions and supports the training in skills and experience for some very dedicated local personnel. This is to achieve the objectives of rapid response, assistance and safe retrieval.
From bases at Queenstown and Te Anau the contracted helicopter operators Helicopters Otago EMS Limited and Southern Lakes Helicopters provide an experienced and integrated service dispatched through the St John Communication Centre, NZ Police or the National Rescue Coordination Centre (RCCNZ) based out of Wellington.
Unfortunately, these services are not fully funded by the agencies which employ the regions operators and thus the provision of service is heavily dependent on continuing sponsorship and additional support from many successful companies, organisations, Trusts and individuals so as to achieve its operational goals of providing fast efficient assistance in times of distress. Essential equipment and ongoing training and compliance issues absorb considerable resource annually – and is apart from the operational cost of the actual helicopters and specialist mission crewing.
We are extremely grateful to the following major sponsors for that continuing support:
Plus the support from other Trusts, companies and individuals who wish their donations to remain anonymous. Their continuing support is highly appreciated by the LDART Trustees as they coordinate this essential service.