John Coles reports:Â New helicopters, for search and rescue (SAR), on the south coast have arrived at the MCA’s new state-of-the-art hangar at Lee-On-The-Solent.
In conjunction with Isle of Wight rescue agencies, one of the AgustaWestland AW139’s may well create a stir in the skies this week. In order to test response times, weather permitting, there could be an air and sea rescue exercise off shore at Cowes.
The new helicopters can fly at a cruising speed of 140 knots with a top speed of 167 knots compared to the 110-knot cruising and 130 top speed of the previous Sikorsky helicopters used by the coastguard. They also have a 40% increase in winch speed and a maximum flight time of three hours and 20 minutes.
Richard Norris, chief pilot, said: “There’s a big difference in power which means we’ll be in a safer position when we are winching.”
Peter Cardy, Chief Executive, Maritime and Coastguard Agency said:
“They have been specifically kitted with various items of advanced technical equipment, including an onboard automatic identification system (AIS), specifically designed for the challenges of search and rescue in the 21st century.”
CHC’s UK SAR contract manager Ian McLuskie said
“The introduction of the AW139s represents the latest key phase in our work with the MCA to introduce new technology to civilian helicopter search and rescue work in the UK and provide an effective, efficient service that reflects modern-day needs.”
Two of the AgustaWestland AW139s will be based at Lee on the Solent and one at Portland. These helicopters are being provided under a service contract to the MCA by CHC Helicopters who won the interim contract to supply the service to the MCA from 2007 to 2012.
Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.