Bristow signs Irish SAR contract

Bristow Ireland have signed a contract with the Irish government to provide helicopter and fixed-wing search and rescue (SAR) services on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard.

The company signed the contract with the Irish Department of Transport on 22 August, and will take over operations from current incumbent, CHC Ireland, in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Bristow will operate six SAR-configured Leonardo AW189 helicopters from four dedicated bases in Sligo, Shannon, Waterford, and Dublin Weston Airports.

Additionally, the firm will operate two King Air turboprop planes from Shannon Airport for the purposes of SAR and environmental monitoring – the first time that fixed-wing operations have been included under the Irish Coast Guard SAR contract.

The service will be delivered on an all-weather, all-hours basis, 365 days a year. The contract will run for 10 years, and also includes options for a further three-year extension.

Bristow was announced as the preferred bidder for the contract in May 2023. However, the awarding of the contract was delayed following a legal challenge to the decision by CHC Ireland.

In response to the contract’s signing, Alan Corbett, Chief Operating Officer for Government Services at Bristow said: “The entire team at Bristow Ireland Limited is honored 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.”