The Irish Coast Guard has added the first AW189 helicopter in its new fleet at Weston Airport, as part of a full fleet of six AW189 helicopters and two fixed-wing aircraft to enhance maritime Search and Rescue services.
The fleet will be stationed at Weston (Dublin), Sligo, Waterford, and Shannon, providing round-the-clock availability for Search and Rescue operations and other essential services such as environmental monitoring and Air Ambulance Services.
The aircraft service, operated by Bristow Ireland Limited under a ten-year contract, will feature a new Coast Guard livery and will be fully operational by July 2025 after a transition period beginning in October 2024.
Minister Lawless highlights the significance of the new fleet in improving the Coast Guard’s capabilities in delivering Search and Rescue services, emphasizing the commitment of Coast Guard personnel to ensuring safety and professionalism in their life-saving missions.
