GMSRS and CTH Launch Integrated Aeromedical and SAR Platform

Global Medical Safety and Risk Solutions (GMSRS), through its Medevac Africa division, has formally partnered with Cape Town Helicopters (CTH) to establish an integrated aeromedical rescue and search and rescue capability supporting both land and maritime operations in South Africa.

To mark this collaboration, GMSRS and Cape Town Helicopters hosted a dedicated stakeholder open day on 3 December, bringing together key clients, partners, and industry stakeholders to showcase the joint aeromedical and search and rescue platform.

The open day provided attendees with the opportunity to engage directly with operational teams, view aircraft and medical configurations, and gain insight into how aviation, medical, and rescue capabilities are integrated to support complex missions. Briefings and demonstrations focused on offshore medical evacuations, coastal and inland search and rescue operations, and technical rescue scenarios requiring specialist aeromedical and rescue personnel.

This collaboration brings together GMSRS’s specialist medical governance, rescue capability, and operational coordination with Cape Town Helicopters’ aviation expertise and rotary wing platforms. The result is a unified response framework designed to operate effectively across offshore, coastal, mountainous, and remote inland environments.

As part of this initiative, formal agreements and operational frameworks have been signed to support the Department of Transport and the South African Search and Rescue Organisation (SASAR). These arrangements align with national search and rescue obligations and ensure coordination with the Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre (ARCC), Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), and other statutory agencies as required.

Under the partnership, GMSRS is responsible for clinical governance, aeromedical staffing, rescue personnel, and topside mission coordination through its Medevac Africa division. Cape Town Helicopters provides aircraft, flight crew, aviation compliance, and flight operations support in accordance with South African Civil Aviation Authority requirements.

The open day highlighted the shared commitment of both organisations to safety, interoperability, and operational excellence, while reinforcing the importance of collaboration between aviation, medical, and rescue disciplines in delivering effective emergency response services.

This partnership represents a significant step forward in strengthening South Africa’s aeromedical and search and rescue capability and supports the ongoing development of an integrated response platform for both land and sea rescue operations.

For additional insight into the open day and Cape Town Helicopters’ offshore and special operations capability, readers can view Cape Town Helicopters’ related article here:

https://www.helicopterscapetown.co.za/news/offshore-operations-approval.html