Rotorcraft
UK SAR debut for AW139
The second of three AgustaWestland AW139s that CHC Helicopter will use for search-and-rescue operations off the south coast of England on behalf of the UK

The second of three AgustaWestland AW139s that CHC Helicopter will use for search-and-rescue operations off the south coast of England on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) was delivered to the agency’s Lee-on-
Solent base last month.

The new helicopters are due to replace Sikorsky S-61Ns operated by Bristow Helicopters by July. Two will provide 24-hour coverage at Lee; the third will supply daylight cover at Portland for the next five years while the MCA pursues its SAR-H plan to take over the provision of the UK’s entire search-and-rescue helicopter services beginning in 2012.

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