Netherlands Coastguard receives new aircraft and helicopters
On 3 November 2022, the Kustwacht (NLCG, Netherlands Coastguard) officially received two new aircraft and two helicopters. In a ceremony at Amsterdam-Schiphol airport, the aircraft and helicopters were handed over to the Director of the NLCG.
The aircraft, two modified Bombardier DHC-8-102MPA Dash 8 patrol aircraft are flown and maintained by a civil consortium, ISR Support Europe, operating the aircraft in cooperation with Coastguard crews from Schiphol airport. The helicopters, two Leonardo AW189 twin-engined, medium lift helicopters are flown and operated by Bristow from Den Helder airport and Midden Zeeland airport.
The two Dashes, which will receive registrations PH-CGD (c/n 028, ex C-GCFK) and PH-CGE (c/n 038, ex C-FCGE), replace two ageing Dornier Do228 aircraft, which have been flown and operated by the Koninklijke Luchtmacht (KLu, Royal Netherlands Air Force) 334 squadron for many years. The last operational mission of the Dornier was flown on Monday 31 October 2022.
Thus, the introduction of the Dash 8 not only means a giant leap in technology and capabilities, it also marks the end of the KLu involvement with the Netherlands Coastguard. Both Dorniers will be offered for sale by the Defence Material Organisation (DMO). The Ministry of Defence continues to facilitate and support the Coastguard organisation and provides officers to conduct Coastguard tasks on board of its ships and aircraft.
Two Leonardo AW189 helicopters, PH-NCG (c/n 92001, ex G-MCGN) and PH-SAR (c/n 89015, ex I-RAIW), replace an equal number of yellow coloured AS365 Dauphins, which have been provided by Noordzee Helicopters Vlaanderen (NHV) for years. The Dauphins were flown from Den Helder airport and Pistoolhaven Rotterdam. Compared to its predecessor, the AW189 can carry 19 persons in SAR-missions at a much larger range, illustrated by the fact that PH-SAR flew non-stop from its manufacturer at Vergiate near Milan (Italy) to Den Helder on 28 October 2022. The AW189 will officially take over the SAR role on Friday 4 November 2022.
Photos via Netherlands Coastguard