Coast Guard new generation Search and Rescue helicopters

Rescue117

“These Helicopters will improve the capacity, range, speed and capability of Ireland’s search and rescue service,” states Dempsey.

New type Sikorsky S92A Helicopter on display at ceremony.

The Minister for Transport Mr Noel Dempsey, T. D. today signed the contract awarding the provision of Helicopter SAR services to CHC Ireland. Transition to the modern helicopters will start in July 2012, and will run for ten years; with an option to extend for a further three years on a year by year basis. It represents a marked improvement in the capacity, range, speed and capability of Ireland’s search and rescue service.

The contract represents a continuation of the existing level of service with the principal change being the replacement of the Sikorsky S61N aircraft, with the ‘new generation’ Sikorsky S92A aircraft. These aircraft will operate out of Waterford, Shannon, Sligo and Dublin.

Minister Dempsey said: “I am delighted to sign this contract which will provide for the delivery of a top-class SAR service operating out of Bases in Waterford, Shannon, Sligo and Dublin up to 2022. There are over 130 jobs in this service and we anticipate that over 20 new posts will be created. CHC Ireland has an excellent record in delivering SAR services to our Coast Guard. The contract provides for helicopters that will fly to the scene of the mission faster. They find the vessels or persons in the water more efficiently using better search, surveillance and tracking tools. This will provide better medical facilities onboard and return people in danger to safety in the shortest possible time.”

Minister Dempsey added: “I am also aware of the other supports that these helicopters can provide to the emergency services. These include Medevac for our Island and remote communities, mountain rescue, and emergency aeromedical transfer in support of the HSE. Last winter’s flooding response provided a practical example of the value and diversity of our SAR Helicopter service.”

The main role of the IRCG helicopters is to provide Ireland with 24/7/365 days a year maritime and coastal SAR rescue service. The helicopters will locate persons in distress or imminent risk, providing immediate medical treatment where required, and evacuating them to an appropriate place of safety. The helicopters are available to assist the other three blue light services (Garda, Ambulance Service and Fire Services) during major national emergency situations on land. They are also used to investigate possible marine pollution, support communities on the islands off Ireland and assist in evacuating the seriously ill or injured.



CHC Ireland Ltd. will provide five Helicopters that are four Prime Helicopters and a Back Up Helicopter based initially at Shannon Airport. The first S92A will be commissioned at Shannon in the second half of 2012.

The Helicopters are maintained at a state of readiness of not more than 15 minutes from 0830 to 2200 local time, and not more than 45 minutes from 2200 to 0830 local time for each and every day of every year.



Possible Taskings include:

Undertaking SAR operations by day and night, including landing at remote inland areas and hospital landing sites for the purpose of lifting and delivering casualties.

Providing Paramedic-trained and accredited rear crew to assist and evacuate casualties and potential casualties from the sites of appropriate major emergencies on land, including flooding and providing an onboard emergency medical service.

Delivering trained Fire Brigade personnel and trained fire fighting teams with their equipment to ships at sea to direct the fighting of fires. The standard team consists of six personnel and six bags (a total of 900 kg) and must be carried in a single lift.

Delivering trained Health Service Executive (HSE) Marine Ambulance Response Teams (MART) or a similarly equipped and trained medical response team to ships at sea while equipped with Standard Role Equipment and relevant Carry-On Equipment.

Delivering a contractor-owned and maintained pump to vessels that are taking in water faster than their own pumps can handle.

Delivering a normal mountain or cliff rescue team to remote areas throughout Ireland and working with them in the search and rescue of stranded and/or injured people.

Recovering casualties from and operating with RNLI and other rescue boat operators.

Providing an emergency service for the communities on the islands off the west coast. As well as evacuating sick and injured people where life is at risk. The Helicopters may also be tasked to provide assistance in the event of major emergencies such as a fire, flood or deep snow.

Visually assessing, videoing, photographing and sampling marine pollution to assist the containment and dispersion process and to contribute evidence for prosecution and attending court if required.

Carrying loads within the Helicopter’s capability, such as equipment to counter marine pollution and flooding.

Carrying ships’ pilots and IRCG coordinated search, response, emergency or investigation personnel to and from vessels, installations, incident sites and islands as required.

Assisting the Principal Response Agencies (Garda, HSE, and local authorities), Defence Forces and other Government Departments as required in emergency situations.

Delivering Garda, Navy or similar Water Unit Minimum Dive Teams and their equipment in a single lift to a land destination near the scene of water rescues.

Provide a distress monitoring, and when necessary a communication and coordination service on VHF marine frequencies when airborne.

999/112

Got this off a press release.

Shield

999/112 wrote: »

Got this off a press release.

This link doesn't work. It seems to be specific/restricted to your gmail account only.

999/112

Hope this works! S92.JPG

Shield

999/112 wrote: »

Hope this works! S92.JPG

BRILLIANT picture. Thanks for that.

Ziycon

They look much more compact and manoeuvrable then the current ones. Nice to see new equipment for the rescue services.

999/112

Pics Some shots of the "61" & "92" [HMCG].
Posted by EchoIndia over in the Aviation & Aircraft forum.
Thank you EI.;)

Actual Paramedic

DWMRT have a video of the new helicopter beside the old on their FB website, can't see it on their main site. New heli looks mighty impressive. The sooner the better