WILLEMSTAD - The Caribbean Coastguard has commissioned two new helicopters for search and rescue. The Ministry of Defense concluded a contract for this with Bristow Nederland B.V. This company also maintains the aircraft and supplies the crews.
With the delivery, the Coast Guard has two SAR helicopters that can be airborne within 20 minutes.
Augusta Westland 189
It concerns two helicopters of the type Agusta Westland 189. Bristow flies and maintains the aircraft for a period of 10 years. The aircraft can accommodate nineteen people excluding crew. There are two standard pilots on board, a winch operator, a rescue swimmer and an ambulance nurse.
With the interim contract with Bristow, the Coast Guard has guaranteed the helicopter's flight capacity for its services.
Of the two helicopters, one is currently in the Coast Guard livery and the other in the Bristow company livery. By the middle of this year, both new helicopters will be in Coast Guard colors.