Stornoway Coastguard rescue helicopter has recorded its busiest ever year after clocking up in excess of 200 callouts in 2010.

It is the first time the rescue helicopter team has reached the milestone figure for missions in any one year, traditionally clocking up an average of 136 callouts between January 1 and December 31. Since the introduction of the new technology S92 helicopters in 2007 however this has risen to an average of 190.

Leading search and rescue (SAR) service provider CHC Helicopter has operated the service for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in the UK since 2007 from four bases at Stornoway, Sumburgh, Lee on Solent and Portland. Through its membership of the Soteria consortium, it has been identified as the preferred bidder on the UK SAR-H program, a 25-year contract to provide helicopter-based SAR services from 12 bases throughout the UK.

Ian McLuskie, UK SAR Business Unit Leader at CHC said: “The past three years have been the busiest we’ve ever had in terms of callouts and this is due to the capability of the S92 aircraft which are able to fly faster and further than those previously in use.

“This increased operating range and speed allows us to get to locations quicker, the overall result is a reduction in the time taken to rescue and get medical aid to those in need. This has allowed the unit to be called out to a greater number of jobs throughout the year, bringing the search and rescue service to a greater number of people and helping to save many more lives.”

The Stornoway unit conducted its 200th mission on December 10th when rescue helicopter R100 was scrambled to evacuate a 57-year-old female who required urgent hospital treatment after experiencing breathing difficulties. The patient was transferred to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.

George Hutchison will be re-joining CHC Ireland as Manager Flight Operations (Designate). George returns to CHC Ireland having gained broad experience within the Aviation industry. George will be succeeding Brendan Jackman, who is returning to line operations at our Sligo base. Brendan and George will be working together over the coming months ensuring a smooth transition.

George commenced his career joining Bond Ireland which later became CHC Ireland during the nineties; he spent several years as a SAR Captain based in Dublin. Following his time in SAR George spent a few years in the Corporate Aviation sector which he then followed with a period as Manager Flight Operations for CHC’s UK southern North Sea sector. Most recently George has spent time establishing Bond Helicopters operations in Cork.

In his role with CHC Ireland, George will be accountable for leading the flight operations department, supported by the flight operations management team. The base flight operations teams will be accountable to George for the safe and efficient operation of all flight ops activities around the country. Central to his role will be the safe and efficient management of all flight operations activities and discharging the role as post holder flight & ground operations. Other key responsibilities will be flight operations organisational design, resourcing and budgetary responsibility for flight operations. George will be based at CHC Irelands offices in Shannon but will spend a good deal of his time at the bases around the country.

Mark Kelly, Managing Director, CHC (Ireland) Ltd stated: “I am delighted to welcome George back to CHC Ireland and would like to take this opportunity to welcome him on behalf of all our staff. I also want to take this opportunity to thank Brendan for his continued excellent stewardship of the flight operations department”