New SAR Helicopter Contract - Bristow

A private company, Bristow, has won the contract to operate Search and Rescue Helicopters in the UK.

Whilst the RAF and RNAS provide Search And Rescue (SAR) capability at eight bases across the UK, the four HMCoastguard Helicopter bases have for some time been operated through a private civilian contract , utilising ex- RAF and RNAS pilots. 

The 22 helicopters will be built in the UK and will operate from 10 bases overseen by HMCoastguard.

Sikorsky S92 in the snow

Ten Sikorsky S92s will be based, two per site, at:

• Stornaway, Isle of Lewis, Outer Hebrides, Scotland


• Sumburgh, Shetland, Scotland 


• Newquay, Cornwall, 


• Caernarfon, North Wales, 


• Humberside. 

AW139 in Sunny Swanage

Ten, AugustaWestland 189's AW189 (the newer version of the AW139 above) will be based, two per site, at:

• Lee-on-the-Solent, Hampshire 


• Prestwick Airport, Scotland


• Inverness, Scotland


• St Athan, South Wales


• Manston, Kent

There are two 'spares' - one of each for training.

The only real difference most people in the UK will see is the actual livery and type of helicopters used. 

....just found this... ooooh wizzy techno-helicopters.