Bristow Helicopters is enhancing its UK search and rescue service by launching infrastructure projects at nine of its sites between 2014 and 2017. Seven new-build SAR helicopter bases will be constructed at airports in Inverness, Manston, Prestwick, Caernarfon, St Athan, Humberside and Newquay. A facility in Stornoway will also be refurbished and the ninth SAR helicopter base is to be an existing Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) facility at Lee-on-Solent. Bristow is also planning a tenth base, to be located at Sumburgh, from which it is already operational.

The helicopter bases are to include a raft of environmental technologies including solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems.

Bristow was awarded the ten-year SAR contract by the UK Department for Transport in March 2013 and is due to take over the service on behalf of the MCA from April 2015.

Md Mike Imlach says: “Our experienced crews have fed into the design process and worked closely with the architects to ensure that the new bases are ideally suited to safe and efficient SAR operations. The identical interior layouts across the country will make it easy for our crew members to work from alternative bases should they need to. Each site will provide modern, high quality accommodation for the aircraft and crews while demonstrating how buildings like this can be made highly sustainable and environmentally friendly.”