S-92 Comes To Woman's Aid

The first of four brand-new Sikorsky S-92 helicopters configured for search and rescue (SAR) operations completed its maiden mission Sunday for Stornoway Coastguard. 

The helicopter airlifted a 77 year-old woman from Kinlochbervie who had been suffering with chest pains and took her to Raigmore Hospital at Inverness. The Coastguard helicopter was used as the doctor advised that she should be taken to hospital as quickly as possible.

"This is the first operational tasking the new S-92 helicopter has completed for HM Coastguard and it continues the excellent service provided to the Maritime Community and General Public by the Coastguard Rescue helicopters based at Stornoway, said Watch Manager Andy Mair said.

The new helicopter is being operated on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency by CHC Scotia who won the interim contract to supply aircraft to the MCA from 2007 to 2012. The interim contract provides for commercial search and rescue helicopter services from four civilian-operated bases -- Sumburgh, Stornoway, Lee-on-Solent and Portland -- for a five-year period from July 1, 2007.

The service provides a 24-hour coverage at Stornoway, where the S-92 is based. The new helicopter can fly faster and further to those in distress at sea and on the coast.  It is fitted with specialised technical equipment including an on board automatic identification system (AIS), specifically designed for search and rescue.

The aircraft is fitted with two internal auxiliary fuel tanks of 210 gallons each, as well as an automatic flight control system with auto-hover capability, and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) systems. The cabin can be arranged for installing triple medical litter kit, one or two aux fuel tanks, folding utility seats and ample storage.

The designated operator console provides search data including FLIR and enhancing crew coordination on SAR missions.

FMI: www.mcga.gov.uk, www.stornoway-portauthority.com/sar.htm