The Irish Coast Guard in partnership with CHC Helicopter completed more
than 1,000 search and rescue (SAR) missions in 2015 with a fleet of
five Sikorsky S-92® helicopters. The milestone, an increase of 12
percent on the previous year, tops the 2014 record of 914 missions,
and is the first time since 1991 that the Irish Coast Guard achieved
1,000 missions in a single year. Sikorsky is a Lockheed Martin company. |
CHC is
performing to a 10-year contract awarded in 2010 to provide S-92A SAR
helicopters, crew and maintenance services on behalf of the Irish Coast
Guard from bases in Dublin, Shannon, Sligo and Waterford.
“High aircraft availability is one of the main reasons behind
the high number of missions. This year we achieved in excess of 96 percent
24/7 operational availability at 15 minutes’ notice (0730 to 2130)
and 45 minutes’ notice thereafter at all of our four bases, which
is an exceptional achievement,” said Director of the Irish Coast
Guard Chris Reynolds. “The Coast Guard operates one of the world’s
most sophisticated search and rescue services in the world. We are very
proud of the service that is delivered by a very special team of men
and women dedicated to saving life anywhere in Ireland and in all weathers.”
CHC’s S-92 SAR aircraft can cruise at 145 knots/166 mph, and can
fly for over four hours without refueling. On-board state-of-the-art
technology includes:
High Definition Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) and thermal image camera
technology
Night vision goggle (NVG) technology including glass cockpit
Icing protection system
Twin hoist
Comprehensive medical suite
CHC and Sikorsky share a close relationship supporting SAR service in
Ireland since 2005, initially with a fleet of six S-61N all-weather
SAR helicopters. This contract replaced all military and civil supported
coastguard missions for the first time and established a stand-alone
SAR service from the same four bases from which the five S-92 aircraft
now operate.
Sikorsky has delivered more than 275 S-92 helicopters to customers throughout
the world. The fleet has accumulated more than 950,000 flight hours.
S-92 aircraft perform a variety of missions, including transportation
for the offshore oil and gas industry, search and rescue, and a variety
of transportation missions for head of state, utility and airline passengers. |
For
the first time since it was set up in 1991, the Irish Coast Guard’s
helicopter service has completed 1,000 missions in a single year. [Photo
credit: Irish Coast Guard]