One of the Coastguard's Sikorsky helicopters which is now grounded
Search-and-rescue helicopters operated by Britain’s Coastguard have been grounded following a safety scare.
The Sikorsky S92 aircraft, based at Stornoway on Lewis and Shetland have been taken out of operation following advice from the manufacturer. The move came after a fatal crash involving an S92 in Newfoundland last week.
The Sea King helicopters operated by the Royal Navy out of HMS Gannet and the RAF Lossiemouth crews will provide cover until replacement parts are fitted. The Coastguard helicopters are often involved in rescues of stricken mountaineers and walkers in the far North of Scotland.
A statement issued today by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: “The Maritime and Coastguard Agency was advised late yesterday evening by its helicopter contractor CHC that all four Coastguard S92 helicopters operating out of Stornoway and Shetland have been grounded pending further advice from the relevant safety authorities.
“This affects all S92s operated globally and is not unique to the Coastguard or CHC. CHC are awaiting official advice from the aviation authorities.
“CHC were instructed earlier yesterday evening by Sikorsky – the helicopter manufacturer – to ground all S92s operated by the company pending an urgent modification to the S92 fleet.
“The MCA is now working closely with the Ministry of Defence to provide cover for the islands from Lossiemouth and Prestwick.
“Once it has become clearer as to how long the Coastguard helicopters will remain grounded and any remedial engineering work that needs to be carried out, we will take a decision on implementing a contingency plan for longer term air coverage. The aircraft on the south coast are unaffected.”
- A Coastguard helicopter was in action this afternoon to help a climber who fell from sea cliffs in Dorset.
A party of sea kayakers raised the alarm by radio after witnessing the man’s fall from the route, south of Church Ope Cove, Portland, about 12.30 this afternoon.
The 32-year-old man from Plymouth was treated at the scene by the crew and members of the Portland Bill Rescue Team. The man suffered a broken leg and concussion in the fall. He was stabilised by the team and paramedics who attended, before being flown to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester.
Allan Norman, Portland Coastguard Watch Manager said: “Fortunately the weather has been kind to all of the rescue services today with fair winds and calm seas and 10C temperatures with excellent visibility.
“With such a bad fracture speed is of the essence, and our Coastguard rescue helicopter was able to get the gentleman with his badly broken leg to hospital in the shortest possible time. Our thanks to the kayakers who first alerted us to this incident, that they were carrying VHF radios ensured the fastest response for this badly injured climber.”
