Bristow marks milestone

HELICOPTER operator Bristow has undertaken over 300 call-outs from its Sumburgh search and rescue base since it started operating the service two years ago.

The company brought in new Sikorsky S92 helicopters when it took over responsibility for the base from CHC on behalf of the coastguard in June 2013.

On Wednesday Bristow confirmed that its base – which covers 45,500 square nautical miles – has so far responded to 335 tasks, from assisting vessels to helping people in need on Shetland’s various islands.

Deputy chief pilot captain Graham Finn said: “We have received a wide range of call outs over the past two years including jobs to assist fishing vessels or oil industry support vessels, aiding people who have sustained injuries or need urgent onshore medical treatment.

“Not all of our work is maritime in nature, however, and we are often called to assist people on the outlying islands including Foula, Unst, Fair Isle and Orkney.”

In addition, the Sumburgh base has been used in the last year to train pilots, technical crew and engineers as part of the 10-year search and rescue contract the company was awarded in March 2013.