CHC SAR engaged in assisting New Delhi TV in a production as a part of their Bigger Higher, Faster series.  It was extremely well received and was in fact rated as the number one show in the prime time band that it aired across all Indian news channels both for its main and repeat telecasts. The feedback for the episode on the British Coastguard was very positive not just from viewers but also from the British High Commission here in Delhi who were informed about this project.

View the production here

On Tuesday 21st June, CHC proudly attended St James Palace to watch as winch operator Dave Peel and winchman Simon O'Mahony were awarded the Billy Deacon Bravery Award. To read more click here

On the 4^th May 2011, duty SAR crew Captain Iain Campbell, Co-pilot Dominic Thorpe, Winch-operator Larry Slater and Winchman Simon Price from CHC Stornoway HMCG SAR Flight carried out the longest SAR mission since operations commenced with the Sikorsky S92, totalling 9hrs 21mins and a total distance 971.6nm.

The SAR crew were tasked to the MV Stena Perros where a crewmember was suffering from chest pains. The crew were pre-warned due to the extended range of the vessel. R100, one of the S92 aircraft based at Stornoway, launched with a doctor onboard and routed to the scene via a re-fuel at Sligo and Blacksod Bay in Southern Ireland. R100 arrived on scene and deployed winchman Simon Price to assess the casualty's condition. Once the casualty was stabilised, the casualty and winchman were recovered to the aircraft via hydrostatic lift method. R100 routed to Sligo and handed over the casualty to the waiting ambulance. R100 returned to the Stornoway base after a re-fuel and food for the crew.

The flight commenced at 06:28 and landed back at Stornoway at 16:30. The crew flew two sectors with refuels at the CHC Ireland base at Sligo and at the remote refuel site at Blacksod; a total of 9hrs 21mins, total distance 971.6nm or 1799.2km.

All the CHC team at Stornoway are to be congratulated on an outstanding and groundbreaking SAR mission. It was also noted that communications between all involved were excellent.

Thanks also go to the CHC Irish SAR team at Sligo, the lighthouse keepers at Blacksod for a rapid refuel (just under 4 mins ), MCA MRCCs at Stornoway, Clyde and Mallan Head, the MCA "Top cover aircraft" Rescue 404 and of course the RAF Kinloss ARCC coordinating team for their support. As Captain Ian Campbell said at his debrief "it was great and very reassuring to see all the elements of the SAR team pulling together."   

CHC (Ireland) Ltd is proud to announce that today it became an ISO 9001: 2008, 14001 and OHSAS 18001:2007 Company.

CHC (Ireland) Ltd provides the Irish Coast Guard's helicopter Search and Rescue services around Irelands Coastline from bases at Waterford, Dublin, Sligo and Shannon. CHC has built an unparallel reputation for excellence in Search & Rescue aviation over the last decade of operations for the Irish Coast Guard

In July 2010 CHC was awarded a ten year contract to supply Search and Rescue aviation services for the Irish Coast Guard. This new contract will see significant stepped improvements in the service with the introduction of the Sikorsky S92A Search and Rescue helicopter later this year. The first Irish Coast Guard S92A is due to take its first test flight before the end of April at Sikorsky's USA based production facility.

Irish Coast Guard Director Chris Reynolds said "I congratulate CHC on the achievement of ISO 9001: 2008, 14001 and OHSAS 18001:2007and wish to publicly commend the valuable contribution the Staff and Crews have made, and continue to make to SAR in Ireland."

"CHC Ireland is the latest of a growing number of our business units to achieve the demanding ISO standards," says Duncan Trapp, Vice-President of Safety & Quality for CHC Helicopter. "With our one commitment of "no harm to people, property, or the environment", the achievements of the team in Ireland are a clear signal that we are dedicated to making this a reality and to setting and achieving the highest standards in safety and quality. The safety & quality team had a key role in securing the ISO accreditation but the standard applies to all areas of CHC Ireland's business in support of the Irish Coast Guard's SAR requirements and this is a fantastic team effort."

 CHC Ireland is an affiliate of CHC Helicopter through its ownership interest in EEA Helicopter Operations B.V.  CHC Helicopter is the world's largest offshore helicopter operator and provides civilian search and rescue services in Ireland, the UK, Denmark and Australia. Earlier this month another CHC SAR crew was recognized with a "Best of Irish" award for their role in successfully recovering the pilot of a light aircraft that crashed in the Irish Sea.

ENDS (27.04.11)

Issued on behalf of CHC Helicopter by The BIG Partnership. For media information contact Laura Grant on 01224 615010 or 07813 880496.