15 November 2008

SHETLAND is to lose the back-up cover of its second Coastguard helicopter, when the Sikorsky S92 is being redeployed as a back-up to the south coast of England.

Contractor Canadian Helicopters Company (CHC) last night (Friday) assured islanders that this was not a permanent transfer but would only last while problems with the night time equipment on Lee on Solent’s own helicopter Agusta Westland is being fixed.

Neither CHC nor the Maritime and Coastguard Agency gave details for how long the second Shetland Coastguard helicopter was expected to be away.

An MCA statement last night said: “This is not a permanent redeployment, but a short term move to ensure that search and rescue off the south coast by helicopter continues uninterrupted.

“Colleagues at the Air Rescue Co-Ordination Centre at Kinloss are aware of the deployment of the standby Shetland aircraft and will adapt military helicopter provision to the north Scottish coast and
islands if required.

“The MCA are hopeful that the modifications developed by CHC and Agusta Westland will mean that the aircraft will be flying day and night time operations from Monday 17th November.

“However, if this isn't possible, having the standby Shetland aircraft at Lee on the Solent will mean that we can operate night time search and rescue missions with the S92.”