Bristow Ireland says it has reached a “major milestone” with Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) approval for its new base a Weston Airport.

The company, which was awarded the new Irish Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter contract, has opted to relocate the Dublin airport helicopter base to Weston on the Kildare border.

Bristow Ireland says that the IAA has granted part 145 approval for the base.

“The accreditation, achieved after months of hard work, confirms that the team and the facility meet or exceed all the standards for maintenance, repairs and inspections for the AW189 helicopter, which will be phased-in to deliver lifesaving search and rescue operations under the new contract for the Irish Coast Guard, “the company says.

“It gives the Bristow Ireland engineers at Weston Airport the authority to carry out critical engineering and maintenance operations,”it says.

“They are cleared to complete all the essential tasks which will keep the new helicopter fleet flying safe, day and night, as the transition period begins,”it added.

“This accreditation is particularly noteworthy as it not only covers line maintenance – when helicopters are inspected and routine maintenance is carried out on a daily basis – it also covers base maintenance, when aircraft undergo much deeper and more significant scheduled work, so Bristow Ireland can carry out major repairs and modifications at the Weston base,”it says.

“I’m immensely proud of everyone who has worked so hard to get to this stage and make Part 145 approval in Ireland a reality,” John Keane, Part 145 Maintenance Manager for Bristow Ireland, said.

Keane and Bristow Ireland Chief Engineer Enda McNeill started on the project five months ago, the company says.

“It was a demanding timeframe but with the support of the wider team we made it happen. Now we are ready for the arrival of the first aircraft,”they state.

Bristow Ireland director Philip Bartlett said “This is a significant moment in our support for the future of search and rescue in Ireland”.

“It falls right on-schedule as we look towards phasing in new bases, new aircraft and new technology over the managed transition period,”it says, paying tribute to the team and the IAA for its “continued and ongoing support”.

Bristow Ireland Ltd has said its new search and rescue (SAR) base at Weston airport on the outskirts of Dublin is “more suitable” for SAR operations.

The company which is taking over the new Irish Coast Guard SAR contract recently received planning permission for a new building at the Weston airport as part of its transition.

In a statement, Bristow Ireland said it has partnered with Weston Airport management in the construction of a new SAR facility that includes a hangar, support workshops, offices, and accommodation of the on-call SAR crew.

All heavy maintenance requirements for the fleet of six Leonardo AW189 Irish Coast Guard helicopters will be carried out in the new facility, it says.

“Bristow is delighted about the achievement of a major planning milestone in welcoming the granting of planning permission for the new facility building,” said Philip Bartlett, Bristow’s Irish SAR director.

Bristow Ireland’s operations will also be headquartered at Weston Airport, where the company currently has an operating administration and management facility.

Bristow Ireland says it has also temporarily leased a hangar in Weston Airport and sub-licensed part of a hangar at Shannon Airport and has been steadily building up to its helicopter maintenance approval from the Irish Aviation Authority which is “expected in the short-term”.

As The Journal reported last week, there have been concerns among some air crew currently with CHC Ireland about the transition to the new employer.

The Irish Independent also reported last Saturday that existing operator CHC Ireland is pursuing its legal action against Bristow.

In its statement, Bristow Ireland says it “continues to make progress in its collaborative employee outreach and engagement plans, which are an important part of ensuring a smooth and managed transition to the new contract later in the year”.

“The company has taken a collaborative approach and recently reached framework agreements with each of the three major unions representing pilots, technical crews and specialist engineers – IALPA, Forsa, and Unite. The company continues collaborative and ongoing dialogue with each of the three unions,”it said.

“All staff of the three unions are highly valued and we look forward to welcoming them to Bristow,” Bartlett said.

“The company has received positive feedback, including well-attended and enthusiastic participation at a number of base-level employee engagements,”Bartlett said.

“Most recently, Bristow held a series of engagement opportunities in Shannon where there was a high-level of participation from existing staff.”

Bristow says it “remains committed to establishing pathways for personnel currently servicing the existing SAR contract to join Bristow and will continue its outreach, recruiting and evaluation efforts to ensure a successful transition in the best interest of this enhanced, life-saving service”.

“The company has provided firm commitments for all staff who are transitioning across in relation to their existing terms and conditions including full recognition of all service,”it said.

“The company continues to engage with officials and representatives and if any new issues arise, Bristow and the relative parties have agreed mechanisms in place to deal with them,”it said.

The new SAR contract involves Bristow Ireland using six SAR-configured AW189 helicopters at dedicated bases in Shannon, Sligo, Waterford, and Weston.

“In an expansion to the current service, the new contract will include a day and night fixed-wing service operating out of Shannon,”it says.

On Sunday, July 28th, a fishing vessel spotted a body at sea between Doolin and the Aran Islands, prompting a response from the Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre in Valentia. The Doolin Coast Guard Unit boat team, with assistance from the Aran Islands RNLI, successfully located and recovered the body, which was later transferred to An Garda Siochána.

Following the recovery operation, the search around the Cliffs of Moher and surrounding sea areas has been suspended.

In a statement, the Irish Coast Guard expressed gratitude to the volunteer Coast Guard Units from Doolin, Cleggan, Inisheer, Costelloe Bay, Killaloe, Aran Islands lifeboat, Coast Guard helicopter R115, and the member of the Civil Defence for their dedicated participation in the search effort since July 24th.

The Coast Guard said it extends condolences to the family and friends of the deceased and acknowledged the support and collaboration of all involved in the operation."

The body of a man has been recovered off the north shore at Cloonamore, Inishbofin in Co Galway.

Malin Head Coast Guard was notified by radio at about 10.15 pm last night that a fisherman was overdue and presumed missing off Inishbofin.

A search of the area on the east and north coastline took place, with Coast Guard Helicopter R118 on the scene.

Lifeboats from Clifden RNLI were also launched.

It was confirmed just before midnight that the body of the fisherman had been located by local members of the community on the northern shore of the island.

The man's remains were transferred to Inishbofin Airfield before being taken by lifeboat to Clifden.

In a statement, the Coast Guard extended its condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

Multipurpose maritime operations in Europe were discussed by three partner EU agencies at an event hosted by the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) in Tenerife, Spain, last week.

The seventh annual European Coast Guard event was co-organised with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex).

The event gathered around 100 representatives responsible for coast guard functions from 22 EU member states, along with representatives from the European Commission and the three EU agencies.

Frontex was the focus of an EU Ombudsman inquiry last year in relation to how it complies with its fundamental rights obligations on search and rescue in the context of its maritime surveillance activities - in particular the Adriana shipwreck in which over 600 migrants died off the Greek coast.

The inquiry found that Frontex had “followed the applicable rules and protocols but demonstrated shortcomings” in how it reacts in maritime emergency situations in which it becomes involved, either in the context of joint maritime operations or its separate multipurpose aerial surveillance activities.

The annual European Coast Guard event “serves as a forum for providing consultation and feedback on the agencies’ cross-sectoral and cross-border cooperation activities,” the EFCA said.

“EFCA, EMSA, and Frontex support member states in the implementation of different coast guard functions, such as fisheries control, maritime safety, border control and search and rescue, under the framework of the European Coast Guard co-operation,”it said.

The Tenerife event also provided the opportunity to present the results and prizes under the “Greening Award” initiative, which aims to celebrate the sustainability actions that are being carried out by coast guard authorities all over Europe.

Susan Steele, executive director of the EFCA, praised the achievements of the interagency cooperation:

“The three partner EU agencies in the maritime domain have established since 2017 a unique cooperation framework involving their respective member state competent authorities and the European Commission,”she said.

“After these seven years, we are now at full speed in terms of our cooperation with very concrete examples. It is clear that the European co-operation on Coast Guard functions is an added value for member states’ fisheries control authorities and for EFCA,”she said.

“This will also benefit the needed future developments under the revised EU fisheries control system,”she said.

A British aviation and aerospace company has created an Irish subsidiary to supply two King Air aircraft for the new Irish Coast Guard contract.

2Excel Aviation has formed 2Excel Ireland to provide fixed-wing Coast Guard Services for Bristow Ireland.

This follows the Government’s award to Bristow of a 10-year contract (with extension options of up to three years) to deliver search and rescue (SAR) and other aviation services for the Irish Coast Guard.

The aircraft will also provide “top cover” support for the fleet of six specialist AW189 helicopters, operated by Bristow Ireland, together delivering the next generation of lifesaving SAR for the country, it says.

Eugene Quigley, newly appointed accountable manager for 2Excel Ireland, said it is “a very exciting development for 2Excel and an opportunity to replicate our service, skills, and expertise, already proven in the SAR environment”.

“With aircraft modifications that have been designed and engineered to our own specifications, we are also pleased to be continuing our successful partnership with Bristow in providing critical life-saving services and environmental monitoring at sea ,”he said.

Bristow Ireland signed a new aviation services contract with the Department of Transport in August 2023.

The transition to the new service is at an advanced stage with the first new helicopter due to enter service later this year.

2Excel says it has already begun recruiting for a number of specialist vacancies for the fixed wing operation, including pilots, engineers, and sensor operators, and is “keen to hear from those with the required qualifications and experience”.

British air assets assisted the Irish Coast Guard with two medical evacuations off the Irish coast within a two-day period.

A British Coast Guard Rescue99 aircraft provided support for the Shannon-based Rescue 115 Irish Coast Guard helicopter on Sunday (June 9) in a medical evacuation.

The long-range evacuation was from a merchant vessel approximately 160 nautical miles off the southwest Irish coast at 9 am on Sunday.

In a statement, the Irish Coast Guard said the merchant vessel had contacted the Irish Coast Guard on Friday, June 7th, reporting a seriously ill crew member.

“Following a link call coordinated by the Valentia Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Centre between the vessel and MEDICO Cork, it was determined that a medical evacuation was required at the earliest opportunity,” it said in the statement issued through the Department of Transport press office.

“After proceeding to within range of the coast the vessel rendezvoused with Rescue 115 helicopter approximately 160 nautical miles from the SW coast. The UK Coastguard aircraft RESCUE99 provided top cover support for the helicopter operating at long range,” it said.

“The Irish Coast Guard can confirm that the crew member was landed safely at Kerry University Hospital in the south-west for medical attention later on Sunday morning, and the vessel resumed passage,” it said.

“This is the second long-range medical evacuation coordinated by the Irish Coast Guard in recent days,”it said.

“On Friday, the Waterford Coast Guard Rescue 117 helicopter - using Cork Airport to extend range – successfully completed a medical evacuation of an ill crew member from another merchant vessel,” it said.

“This operation was coordinated with and supported by the UK and Danish authorities following an alert from the vessel,”it said.

The statement did not comment on press reports over the weekend that the Air Corps did not have an aircraft available for top cover for the June 7th mission to evacuate a crew member from a Danish merchant vessel.

The UK Defence Journal reported that a Royal Air Force P-8 Poseidon aircraft was “urgently deployed to aid in a maritime rescue operation off the coast of Cork … due to the unavailability of suitable Irish aircraft”.

Ahead of the May holiday weekend, Water Safety Ireland, the Irish Coast Guard and the RNLI are jointly appealing to people to be safe and summer-ready when planning an activity on or near the water.

The organisations are urging people to ensure that boats and other watercraft, including kayaks and canoes, are checked and in good working order following the winter period. Engines should be serviced and all equipment, particularly lifejackets, should be in good condition.

If out on a boat, or other water vessel:

• Wear a lifejacket, carry a reliable means of communication – a VHF radio and ideally a Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) or Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) with mobile phone backup in a watertight case
• Ensure that you tell someone where you are going and when you plan to be back

If planning activities on the water:

• Always bring a means of effectively communicating distress
• Use readily available sources of information to check the environmental conditions (weather and tides) in advance of your trip
• Seek help immediately if you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, or think they are in trouble, by using Marine VHF channel 16 or Dialling 112 and asking for the Coast Guard

If you are swimming:

• Water temperatures are still cold at this time of the year, consider wearing a wetsuit to stay warm
• Acclimatise slowly
• Wear a bright swimming cap and consider a tow float to increase your visibility
• Never swim alone and always ensure that your activity is being monitored by a colleague

Kevin Whitney, Operations Manager at the Coast Guard reminded everyone to ‘Plan & Prepare’ before considering any water-based or coastal activity ahead of and during the summer months: ‘Do not use inflatable toys in open water or swim out after anything drifting as things can quickly go wrong. Be aware of potential dangers and well prepared before engaging in any water-based activities. The Be Summer-Ready website at www.gov.ie/summerready provides good water safety advice and we urge the public to read this before venturing out on the water.’

Roger Sweeney, Deputy CEO at Water Safety Ireland said: ‘An average of five people drown in Ireland every fortnight and cold water is often a factor. Sudden immersion can cause a shock to your body, a loss of breathing control, dizziness, and panic. Hypothermia and muscle cooling soon makes swimming difficult or impossible, particularly for children who have less body fat. Keep cold water swims short and enter the water slowly, staying within your depth. Shore anglers should always wear a lifejacket and walkers should carry a mobile phone and keep a close eye on incoming tides to avoid being stranded.’

Linda-Gene Byrne, RNLI Water Safety Lead said: ‘Many people will be taking vessels to the water for the first time this year so this is a good time to think about checking your equipment, especially your lifejacket so that it is fit for purpose.’

‘Others may be planning a trip to the beach and a swim in the sea. We would encourage swimmers to be mindful of rip currents which can be difficult to spot, but are sometimes identified by a channel of churning, choppy water on the sea's surface. Even the most experienced beachgoers can be caught out by rips so remember don’t try to swim against it or you’ll get exhausted. If you can stand, wade don’t swim. If you can, swim parallel to the shore until free of the rip and then head for shore. Always raise your hand and shout for help.’

If you see somebody in trouble on the water or along the coast, or think they are in trouble, use Marine VHF channel 16 or Dial 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.

Three European agencies have initiated the first Coast Guard “capacity building” and training exchange at European level.

The European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) are working on an initiative to bolster the development of an academy and training network.

They also aim to implement an exchange programme between administrations from different countries.

“The exchange programme facilitates the exchange of theoretical and practical knowledge and best practices among authorities engaged in coast guard functions,”they state.

“ By doing so, the project contributes to preparing staff for joint missions and operations, benefiting EU member states, European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and Schengen associated countries' coast guard authorities and entities,”they state.

This programme is also very relevant for the EU Maritime Security Strategy and Action Plan[1], which seeks to strengthen Europe's autonomy amid growing threats to maritime security.

The first exchange took place in Sarzana, Italy, with participants from the Icelandic Coast Guard and the Portuguese Maritime Life Saving Institute in the Italian Coast Guard's Rescue Swimmer Course, with a week dedicated to theoretical and practical lessons.

Overall, there were 86 candidates that were assigned to an exchange and 34 candidates to reserve lists. The next exchanges for this semester involve authorities from Croatia, Finland, France, Italy, Romania, Portugal, Poland and Spain

"The programme sets sail on a journey of collaboration, learning, and empowerment, striving to shape the future of coast guard functions across Europe,” EFCA executive director Susan Steele says.

More information is on the Coast Guard Portal here

Philip Bartlett has been appointed Bristow Ireland’s director of Irish search and rescue (SAR) helicopter and fixed-wing aviation.

“Bartlett will be responsible for leading the Bristow Ireland team responsible for delivering life-saving missions across the country,” the company says.

Bristow Ireland is due to take over provision of rotary and fixed-wing aviation services for the Irish Coast Guard, and received its air operator certificate from the Irish Aviation Authority earlier this year.

As part of the contract with the Department of Transport, the company will run six SAR-configured AW189 helicopters from dedicated bases in Shannon, Sligo, Waterford, and Weston.

The new contract will include a day and night fixed-wing service operating out of Shannon.

Bartlett has 33 years of experience in Irish and British aviation, and was most recently chief technical officer for Shannon Technical Services.

Before that, Bartlett was a technical operations manager for Nordic Aviation Capital, where Bristow Ireland says he “gained a perspective on the regional aircraft leasing business, including managing aircraft deliveries and returns, to and from various international airlines”.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Hons) in aircraft engineering, aerodynamics, business, and quality from Kingston University.

He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society; an incorporated engineer with the British Engineering Council; and holds an EASA Part 66 and national aircraft maintenance engineer’s license from the Irish Aviation Authority.