Irish Coast Guard’s helicopter service completed 1,000 missions in 2015

The Irish Coast Guard’s fleet of Lockheed-built Sikorsky S-92 helicopters has completed more than 1,000 search and rescue (SAR) missions in 2015.

The missions carried out in collaboration with CHC helicopters marks the first of the kind of achievement for the Irish Coast Guard since 1991.

Irish Coast Guard director Chris Reynolds said: "High aircraft availability is one of the main reasons behind the high number of missions. This year we achieved in excess of 96% 24/7 operational availability at 15 minutes’ notice (0730 to 2130) and 45 minutes’ notice thereafter at all of our four bases, which is an exceptional achievement. "

"The Coast Guard operates one of the world’s most sophisticated search and rescue services in the world. We are very proud of the service that is delivered by a very special team of men and women dedicated to saving life anywhere in Ireland and in all weathers."

The Irish Coast Guard’s SAR missions are supported by CHC helicopters under a ten-year contract awarded in 2010 to provide S-92A SAR helicopters, crew and maintenance services.

The S-92 is equipped with high definition forward looking infra-red and thermal image camera technology, icing protection system and night vision goggle technology including glass cockpit.

It has an air speed of 145k, and can stay airborne to perform for more than four hours without refuelling.

The helicopter also features an advanced health and usage monitoring system that sets a new level of reliability and enables cutting-edge fleet management services.

It can conduct search and rescue, emergency medical services (EMS), maritime security and transport missions. The S-92 SAR helicopter was preferred by the UK Maritime and Coast Guard Agency, Irish Coast Guard and South Korea Coast Guard.

The S-92 SAR has a maximum cruise speed of 306km/h. It can fly at a maximum altitude of 15,000ft. The helicopter can conduct programmed search for one hour up to a range of 352km with standard fuel and 639km with auxiliary fuel.

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Image: The Irish Coast Guard’s helicopter service has completed 1,000 missions in a single year. Photo : courtesy of CHC Helicopter Services.