Two new bespoke multi-million-pound helicopters will spearhead the North Sea offshore energy sector search and rescue (SAR) fleet as part of a deal securing the service for the next decade. Current operator Offshore Helicopter Services UK Ltd (OHS UK) will also continue to provide the service that supports up to 10,000 workers until at least 2032.

Based in Aberdeen, SAR crews cover a vast area of the North Sea, ensuring 24/7 medical emergency cover 365 days a year is available in the harshest of working environments, with a response time of as little as 15 minutes from tasking to a crew being in the air.

OHS UK has been collaborating with the offshore energy sector for the past 12 months to design the new helicopters and equip the SAR crews with the latest technologies. The cutting-edge Leonardo AW139s have been designed with input from industry technical leads, flight crews, engineers and medical staff. Night vision goggles will be introduced for all crew, there will be a redesign of the cabin layout and a bright blue and orange livery has been introduced.

Managing director Andy Rodden says: “Over the course of the last 10 years the SAR crews have attended almost 1,000 call outs. That number shows just how vital the service is to those working offshore. We will use that experience to ensure our SAR teams are able to evolve and have access to the best equipment for the next decade to ensure that they are ready and prepared to respond to incidents at any time. This is a new era for the service. Securing a long-term deal shows the trust our partners have in the service and our ability to support their workforce, often when they are at their most vulnerable. The contract is excellent news for OHS UK, oil and gas participants and for the offshore energy sector as a whole.”

Industry Search and Rescue is funded and supported by multiple partners from across the energy sector.

As part of the initiative SAR crews are able to participate in extensive training flights, highlighting their continued commitment to the safety and security of personnel offshore.

SAR flight manager David Punchard says: “We have an all-weather capability and are ready to respond, round the clock, 365 days of the year. The majority of the tasking is medevac, retrieval of injured people offshore, with a portion of that being search and rescue as well. We have the capability to respond to a wide range of incidents to provide a high level of medical care and rescue provision, but in an extreme environment, and get them to a place of safety as quickly as possible. It's an exciting time for us; with two new airframes coming online it will allow us to provide even greater medical support and be ready for what the future brings.”

OHS UK is part of the Ultimate Aviation Group, headquartered in South Africa.