Bristow Ireland Limited has signed a search and rescue aviation services contract with the Department of Transport.
The global provider of vertical flight operations will operate rotary and fixed-wing services for the Irish Coast Guard.
The firm will provide a range of essential state services under the new aviation service contract, including maritime and inland search and rescue, environmental monitoring, helicopter emergency medical and air ambulance services, with enhanced mission control and communications systems.
Under the new contract, Bristow Ireland Limited will operate six AW189 helicopters from four dedicated bases in Sligo, Shannon, Waterford and Dublin Weston Airport.
For the first time, the Coast Guard's aviation service will also have fixed wing aircraft capability available on 24/7 basis to support the delivery of these essential services.
In an expansion to the current aviation service for the Coast Guard, two King Air fixed-wing aircraft based at Shannon Airport, will provide support for Coast Guard search & rescue operations and environmental monitoring.
The Department of Transport said the new contract will run for 10 years in the case of the helicopter service and five years in the case of fixed wing aircraft element of the service, with options to extend both elements out to 13 years.
The contract makes provision for the possibility of the Air Corps assuming responsibility for the fixed wing element of the service after five years.
The new IRCG aviation service will be introduced by Bristow Ireland Limited gradually on a phased basis and will be fully operational by July 2025.
Alan Corbett, Bristow's Chief Operating Officer, Government Services, said the entire team at Bristow Ireland Limited is honoured to be chosen to deliver this critical and life-saving public service for the people of Ireland. "We look forward to collaborating closely with the Irish Department of Transport, Irish Coast Guard, and all stakeholders as we prepare to deliver this critical public service," Mr Corbett.
"We will provide a safe, dependable, and innovative service that will deliver world-class search and rescue across the country. Bristow Ireland Limited will implement Bristow’s globally recognised and industry-leading 'Target Zero’ safety culture in Ireland, to ensure safety is at the forefront of every flight we take, and each decision made," he said.
