S-61N G-BIMU at Stornoway Airport. (photo, Chris Jones)

Outer Hebrides
Role: Search and Rescue

The Stornoway based Coastguard Helicopter became operational on 12th May 1987. Although the Stornaway Coastguard Helicopter’s normal operating area is the West of Scotland and Northern Ireland it has also been deployed for incidents in the Orkneys, the Shetlands Isles, and the Clyde. From early 1988 the helicopter provided the main the main air ambulance service for the Western Isles.

The SAR helicopter contract started on 12 May 1987 using S-61N G-BBVA. This was an interim solution until G-BDII arrived in September. India India was a more capable helicopter, fitted with a FLIR turret and a long-range fuel tank. Unfortunately, it was forced to ditch in the sea on 17 October 1988 and so G-BIMU (Mike Uniform) took over as the assigned helicopter. G-BIMU will be replaced by a new S-92 helicopter (supplied by CHC Helicopters) in mid 2007. Short-term maintenance cover has been provided by S-61Ns G-BBVA and G-BBHL. By September 2001, G-BBHL was operating as a regular back-up rescue helicopter (from 1:30 pm each day) whenever G-BIMU is away from base on another mission. Thus G-BIMU provides 24-hour all-weather SAR, supplemented by G-BBHL for 12-hrs each day.

In April 1997 the contract with Bristow Helicopters Ltd was renewed for the third time, and extended for a further five years on 1 July 2002 (expiring 30 June 2007). The 2000th SAR mission was flown on 5 July 2002.

Air Bases:

Base	Duration
Stornoway Airport, Outer Hebrides	May 1987 - Present

Aircraft Used:

Type	Qty	Service	Badge	Example Serials
Sikorsky S-61N Mk II	1	12 May 1987 - Sept 1987		G-BBVA
Sikorsky S-61N Mk II	1	24 Sept 1987 - 17 Oct 1988		G-BDII, w/o after ditching
Sikorsky S-61N Mk II	1	Oct 1988 - 30 June 2007		G-BIMU "Stac Pollaidh"
Sikorsky S-61N Mk II	1	19?? - 30 June 2007		G-BBHL (reserve)
Sikorsky S-92	1	1 July 2007+		G-CGMU
Sikorsky S-92	1	1 Oct 2007+		G-SARB

References:

• STORNOWAY COASTGUARD HELICOPTER PASSES 2,000 MISSIONS