Story ID: 130
Bristow's UK SAR Contract Extended 
By: Mark Huber
Caption: Bristow’s contract to provide search and rescue (SAR) services in the UK has been extended through 2026. 
Word Count: 211
Bristow’s contract to provide search and rescue (SAR) services in the UK has been extended through 2026. The company will continue to support HM Coastguard, the emergency response service of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), with a fleet of 11 Leonardo AW189 and 10 Sikorsky S-92A aircraft configured for SAR.

Bristow, which was originally awarded the contract in 2013, operates from 10 SAR helicopter bases around the UK on behalf of Her Majesty’s Coastguard to respond to all SAR incidents for the whole of the UK and employs 360. Since 1971, Bristow has flown more than 60,000 SAR operational hours in the UK and conducted more than 15,000 SAR missions, during which more than 7,000 people were rescued. For nearly 60 years, Bristow also has served the UK’s offshore oil transport industry. 

“Our specialist teams have worked tirelessly, diligently and with unquestionable pride to ensure the transition from a military and coastguard operation to a fully commercialized SAR helicopter service,” said Alan Corbett, CEO of Bristow Helicopters Ltd. and senior v-p for Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and search and rescue. “The extension of the current contract allows us to cost-effectively introduce new capabilities into the existing helicopter fleet and to explore technologies that may be of benefit in future contracts.”