Bristow Helicopters (Nigeria) Limited has announced a new dedicated helicopter Rescue and Recovery Service (RRS) for Nigeria’s Oil and Gas industry to provide critical life-saving assistance currently not available in the country’s aviation landscape.
The new service which will be launched in August 2016, will complement the company’s suite of industrial aviation offerings, including its fixed-wing service between Lagos and Port Harcourt launched last year.
Speaking on the development, Bristow’s Interim Regional Director Africa, Captain Akin Oni said: “Bristow is a known leader in providing search and rescue services around the world and we have an unparalleled understanding of what is required for this new rescue and recovery service.
Bristow operates the civilian search and rescue helicopter service in the UK on behalf of HM Coastguard, having been awarded the ten-year UK SAR contract by the Department for Transport in March 2013, and we will utilize our global expertise to provide safe and reliable service in Nigeria.
“This new rescue and recovery service is a natural extension of our business transporting personnel offshore that we’ve provided in Nigeria for more than 50 years, and demonstrates our continued long-term commitment to the country.”
Bristow Helicopters will deliver the new service from its base at Port Harcourt, which is strategically located to transport resources quickly and efficiently to oil installations in the area. The company will dedicate an advanced Leonardo AW139 helicopter to the operation, equipped with state-of-the-art technology for search and rescue missions, including forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera technology, dual hoist and mission management capabilities.
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