Minister of State Sean Canney T.D., with special responsibility for the Irish Coast Guard, has officially launched the Coast Guard’s new aviation service, a landmark enhancement to national search and rescue (SAR) and maritime environmental monitoring capabilities.
The new aviation service, operated by Bristow Ireland Limiter (BIL) under a 10-year contract includes six purpose-built AW189 helicopters based at Waterford, Sligo, Dublin (Weston) and Shannon.
For the first time, the Coast Guard will also deploy a 24-hour fixed wing service, provided by two Beechcraft B200 King Air aircraft, also based at Shannon. This fleet will work as an integrated aviation service, enhancing the overall capability of Coast Guard services to the public.
Minister Canney said: “This is a pivotal moment for Ireland’s maritime safety and environmental stewardship. The Coast Guard is one of the four principal emergency services, and this expanded helicopter fleet, and the introduction of fixed-wing operations means the organisation is better equipped than ever to deliver enhanced inland, coastal and offshore search and rescue services as well as provision of 24/7 aeromedical support to HSE and our offshore island communities.”
Minister Canney added: “For the first time, the Coast Guard has a dedicated fixed wing aircraft which will enable it meet international obligations in proactive maritime environmental monitoring and pollution investigation, enhancing our overall awareness of any threats to our maritime environment, covering an area of 132,000 square miles.”
Bristow Ireland commenced SAR helicopter operations from Shannon in December 2024 utilising newly built AW189 helicopters, followed by the introduction of the fixed wing service in May of this year.
While the handover of all four bases from CHC Ireland to BIL has been delayed, the Department of Transport said that the other two bases in Waterford and Sligo will transition over the coming months.
While Bristow Ireland Ltd was due to commence operations at Shannon Airport on October 31st last year, the new Rescue 115 helicopter did not enter service until December 8th. At the time, the service operated at what was described as ‘reduced readiness’ and the crew could not undertake nighttime operations.
Later, the service suffered another setback when crews were told they could not carry out Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) missions because they didn’t have a complaint stretcher. While this issue was recently resolved, there have been repeated claims that the commencement of Bristow’s new operation was ‘rushed.’
