Maritime And Coastguard Agency Rescues Up 20%, Manufacturer
Says
In its first year of use by the United Kingdom Maritime and
Coastguard Agency and under the operation of CHC Helicopter Corp.,
Sikorsky said Monday its Search-and-Rescue (SAR)-configured S-92
helicopter logged 279 rescues and is operating at availability
levels of more than 98 percent.
CHC operates the SAR S-92 helicopters from two bases covering
territory in the North Atlantic and the North Sea. In Stornoway,
Western Isles, Scotland, the fleet has conducted 174 rescue
missions, while missions flown out of Sumburgh, Sheltand Isles,
Scotland, have totaled 102 to date.
Aircraft technical availability at Stornoway has been 98.35
percent; availability at Sumburgh, 100 percent, said Ian McLuskie,
UK SAR Business Unit Leader, CHC Search and Rescue.
"The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has seen a 20 percent
increase in rescue missions at its bases, which is attributed to
the increase in speed and capability that the S-92 helicopter
offers," said McLuskie. "The aircraft’s fully coupled
automatic flight control system has been invaluable, and the large
cabin and tail ramp also have been of great benefit, particularly
when airlifting rescue teams."
Sikorsky initially developed the S-92 helicopter for over-water
search and rescue in demanding and challenging environments such as
the North Sea and North Atlantic, where the MCA is in service.
"Sikorsky has a successful history of search and rescue. The
CHC-operated MCA missions are adding to that legacy," said Marc
Poland, Sikorsky Vice President, Commercial Programs. "The S-92
helicopter fleet today has logged more than 120,000 flight hours
and in doing so, has shown itself to be a safe, extremely reliable
and cost-efficient platform."
The SAR aircraft have conducted rescues from mountains, cliffs,
and vessels, rescued divers in difficulty, and extracted complete
crews from stricken vessels. One such incident in February this
year led to the rescue of 14 fishermen from the vessel
Spinningdale, which had run aground at St. Kilda.
That rescue, conducted amid gusting 70-knot winds as the vessel
sat stranded on rocky, cliff-facing terrain, brought the crew
recognition for its bravery and professionalism as it was awarded
the Great Scot of the Year Award.
The S-92 is the first helicopter in the world certified to the
latest US Federal Aviation Administration and European
airworthiness safety standards. The S-92 features a Rotor Ice
Protection System (RIPS), which allows the aircraft to operate in
known icing conditions.