Two Leonardo helicopters added to North Sea search/rescue fleet

Two new helicopters will join the offshore energy sector Search and Rescue (SAR) fleet in the North Sea.

Current operator Offshore Helicopter Services UK (OHSUK) will provide the service, which supports up to 10,000 personnel, until 2032.

The SAR crews, operating out of Aberdeen, cover a large area of the North Sea and provide 24/7 medical emergency cover. OHSUK claims response times from tasking to a crew being in the air can be just 15 minutes.

It has collaborated with the offshore energy sector over the past 12 months to design the new Leonardo AW139 helicopters and equip the SAR crews with up-to-date technologies. Further input came from flight crews, engineers and medical staff.

Among the innovations, night vision goggles will be introduced for all crews, with a re-design of the cabin layout, and a new blue and orange livery. Industry Search and Rescue has funded and support from multiple energy companies.

Search and Rescue flight manager David Punchard said: “We have an all-weather capability and are ready to respond, round the clock 365 days of the year.

“The majority of the tasking is ‘medevac’, retrieval of injured people offshore, with a portion of that being search and rescue as well.

 “We have the capability to respond to a wide range of incidents to provide a high level of medical care and rescue provision, but in an extreme environment, and get them to a place of safety as quickly as possible.”

OHSUK is part of the Ultimate Aviation Group, based in Johannesburg, South Africa.