CHC gets Irish SAR contract, replaces S-61Ns with S-92As...

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CHC gets Irish Search and Rescue contract

CHC Helicopter says it has been awarded the Irish Coast Guard SAR contract.

Gary Parsons - 22-Jul-2010

CHC Helicopter says it has been awarded the ten year, €500 million contract to provide Search and Rescue (SAR) services on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard.

CHC already provides SAR services under the previous contract using Sikorsky S-61N helicopters based at Waterford, Dublin, Shannon and Sligo.

From 2012 the company will replace its fleet with Sikorsky S-92As.

The helicopters will be specially equipped for SAR operations and capable of flying faster and farther than the S-61Ns.

They will be equipped with enhanced rescue mission technology including infra-red and low light cameras, a Nightsun searchlight, a satellite communications system featuring a Flight Following tracking facility, and high speed dual hoists.

CHC is the world's largest operator of the Sikorsky S-92 and is also a member of the Soteria consortium identified as the preferred bidder for the UK’s SAR-H programme to provide helicopter-based SAR services from 12 bases across the country.