New rescue helicopters 'will reach larger area of UK'
The Department for Transport has said that under the new contract helicopters will be able to reach a larger area of the UK Search and Rescue region within an hour of take-off than is currently possible.
An RAF Sea King helicopter that will no longer be used under the new contract. Credit: Chris Jackson/PA Wire
It added that, based on historic incident data, it is estimated there will be an overall improvement in flying times to incidents of around 20 percent (from 23 to 19 minutes).
Presently, approximately 70 percent of high and very high-risk areas within the UK SAR region are reachable by helicopter within 30 minutes. Under the new contract, approximately 85 percent of the same area would be reached within this time frame.
The Department for Transport has confirmed the contract to run the UK's search-and-rescue helicopter service has gone to the US-headquartered Bristow Helicopters.
A Sea King helicopter Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Archive/Press Association Images
The plans to privatise search and rescue helicopters were laid originally out by the Labour government in 2006.
The plans were controversial, and designed to replace the ageing Sea Kings that were currently in use.
Soteria SAR was announced as the frontrunning bidder in February 2010, but a year later it was prevented from acquiring the contract due to several issues with the conduct of their bid team, as well as forming part of the coalition government's spending review.
The Sea King helicopter has been in service for over four decades, with a distinguished history with the Search and Rescue service as well as other assignments.
The Sea King has operated in 10 wars and been involved in 15,000 rescue operations
It has saved more lives than any other aircraft
It is reportedly Prince William's favourite aircraft
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Masterplan for the redevelopment of the former RAF site in Lyneham Credit: Ministry of DefenceArtist's impression of the proposed single living accommodation Credit: Ministry of DefenceInside the proposed single living accommodation Credit: Ministry of Defence
