Cougar's Rescue Response Tardy?

In a recent piece for The Bond papers, Ed Hollett raises some good questions as to why Cougar took so long to respond with their own search and rescue flight.  Cougar’s response flight did not launch until 43 minutes after mayday, but when it did launch, took only 18 minutes to reach the scene.  Had they arrived on scene more timely, it may be that not only Robert Decker but also the second passenger who escaped the shattered copter body, Allison Maher, would have survived.  It is unlikely to have helped the 16 people found inside the fuselage on the bottom of the sea. 

        I have taken a different tack in my piece posted March 27 on Newfoundland Injury Law Blog, and focused on the 30 minute dry run requirement.  Cougar flight 491 flew dry for only 11 minutes, then crashed with tremendous force.  Another 19 minutes dry running would have delivered those imperiled to safe haven at Cape Spear, with a safe fly margin to spare.