In March 2013 it was announced that Bristow Helicopters will take over as the single operator for SAR helicopters around the UK, with an operational fleet of 10 Sikorsky S92 and 10 AgustaWestland AW189 helicopters. In fact, their business model requires 11 of each type to help cover for maintenance.

Bristow already have four S92s operating for SAR in the UK, so another seven were needed.  In the last two weeks, three of these have been added to the UK register, and the first two shipped into the UK via Southampton Docks, before being flown 550 miles north to their base at Aberdeen where the fleet is being prepared for the tasks ahead.  Details as follows

G-MCGE – serial 920214 – registered 15th October – arrived Aberdeen 23th October
G-MCGF – serial 920222 – registered 16th October – arrived Aberdeen 24th October
G-MCGG – serial 920225 – registered 28th October

Bristow curently has 25 Sikorsky S92s on the G register.  The SAR services contract has a phased-in transition period beginning in April 2015 and continuing to July 2017

Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com