MCA Coastguard S.A.R.-

[Graham Bell]

Currently the latest Augusta AW 139 based at Lee on the Solent SAR station,G-SARE,is on my SBS screen with full ADSB
Regards-
G.B.

[Anmer]

The St Athan based ones are very active on my screen, usually along the South Wales and Devon/Cornwall coasts and up into The Brecons.  Always ADS-B.

[Graham Bell]

Thanks for that Mike-
This AW 139 is a recent addition/replacement to the AW 109 aircraft based at Lee on the Solent and the AW 109 were non- ADSB. My understanding is that there has been a change of service provider on the SAR contract which has been awarded to CHC Scotia where previously it was operated by Bristows.
I have been able to track the Solent based SAR flights via a local
shipping site but as these flights often fly well inland when the flight would be lost the ADSB equipped helicopters should be a bonus.
regards-
G.B.

[Anmer]

A139 G-CILP on a mission.

According to G-INFO, still registered to Bristow.

[Attachment deleted by Admin to save file space]

[s92driver]

My understanding is that there has been a change of service provider on the SAR contract which has been awarded to CHC Scotia where previously it was operated by Bristows.

Graeme,  CHC did have the contract but Bristow won an expanded SAR contract in 2015.  This involved not only taking over from CHC but also the RAF and RN onshore SAR.  Due to the amount of change a phased introduction of new aircraft and bases was established, with the two CHC bases at Lee on Solent and Portland being some of the last bases to change over.

So at the moment the AW139s at Lee and Portland are still CHC, but will change in a few months from now.  Expect some new Bristow hardware soon.  Note also that Portland will close as a SAR base.

Details can be found on the Bristow website.  Use the links on the left hand side.

http://bristowgroup.com/uk-sar/

[Graham Bell]

S92- I am obliged to you for that clarification on the current situation and many thanks.
regards-
G.B.

[Graham Bell]

The latest on this transition from the M.C.A.-
http://hmcoastguard.blogspot.co.uk/2017/03/lee-on-solent-starts-flying-with-new.html
Regards-
G.B.