Transition of Waterford Coast Guard Helicopter Base Marks Completion of National Aviation Service Changeover
- Foilsithe:
- An t-eolas is déanaí:
Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard Sean Canney T.D. has today welcomed the transition of the Irish Coast Guard helicopter base at Waterford Airport to Bristow Ireland Limited. Waterford is the fourth and final base to transition under the new Coast Guard aviation contract, marking the end of the Sikorsky S‑92 helicopter fleet’s long‑standing service to Coast Guard Search and Rescue in Ireland.
This milestone marks the final phase of the transition to the new Coast Guard aviation service, that has already seen Bristow Ireland delivering Coast Guard operations utilising AW189 helicopters from Shannon, Sligo, and Weston Airport, Dublin, alongside a new Fixed Wing service also located at Shannon. Many of the personnel who worked with CHCI have or will be taking up employment with Bristow Ireland.
“I would like to acknowledge and recognise the exceptional service provided by the fleet of Sikorsky S‑92a and S61 helicopters fleet, and by the CHC crews who have operated Ireland’s search and rescue service for more than two decades. Their work has played a vital role in saving lives, providing day and night time emergency helicopter support to maritime and inland communities, sometimes in extremely challenging conditions I am pleased to note that many of the very experienced personnel will continue to work with Bristow Ireland , thus ensuring that the State will continue to benefit from their knowledge and commitment to Coast Guard aviation.
Minister of State with responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard, Sean Canney
“My overarching requirement throughout this transition is the safe and effective continuation of services without interruption. I wish to note the commitment and professionalism that has supported the delivery of this objective. I also acknowledge the sustained contribution of the CHCI operational team over more than a decade, as well as the consistent performance of the Sikorsky 92 platform, and I now look forward to the next phase of enhanced Coast Guard aviation services.”
Director of the Irish Coast Guard, Micheál O’Toole
The new aviation service, operated by Bristow Ireland under a 10-year contract includes six purpose-built AW189 helicopters based at Waterford, Sligo, Dublin and Shannon. For the first time, the Coast Guard will also deploy a 24-hour fixed wing service, provided by two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft, also based at Shannon. This fleet will work as an integrated aviation service, thus enhancing the overall capability of Coast Guard to provide offshore, coastal and inland Search and Rescue services, aeromedical support to HSE/ National Ambulance Service, provision of aviation support to other State entities, including day and nighttime aeromedical support to or offshore island communities.