Bristow’s S-92 Crew Honored with Sikorsky’s Prestigious Winged-S Rescue Award
Sikorsky Recognizes Bristow Helicopters with Prestigious Rescue Award
On September 12th, Sikorsky honored Bristow Helicopters Limited with the Sikorsky Winged-S Rescue Award for their exemplary life-saving operation in the North Atlantic. This award was presented during the renowned 2017 Defence and Security Equipment International exhibition.
Bristow Helicopters operates the S-92 helicopters under a vital search and rescue (SAR) mission for the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), following their successful bid for a 10-year UK SAR contract from the Department for Transport in March 2013. Since April 2015, they have conducted approximately 4,500 SAR missions, many using the dependable UK SAR S-92 helicopters.
In a notable rescue mission in May 2017, a Bristow crew utilizing an S-92 helicopter from the HM Coastguard Prestwick SAR base successfully saved 22-year-old Matthew Bryce. Stranded at sea for over 32 hours, Bryce had set out for a surfing adventure off the west coast of Scotland. His family raised concerns when he failed to return, prompting authorities to initiate a comprehensive multi-agency air and sea search. The dedicated crew of the Prestwick S-92, call sign “Rescue 999,” located Bryce drifting off the Northern Ireland coast. The rescue operation lasted over six hours, and he was safely transported to a hospital in Belfast for recovery.
The Prestwick SAR base ranks among the busiest in the UK. Data from the UK Department for Transport (DfT) indicates that, between April and June 2017, the Prestwick base responded to 79 taskings and recorded the second-highest number of land taskings, primarily around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.
Damien Oliver, Assistant Director of UK MCA Aviation, stated, “We have successfully operated S-92 helicopters for over ten years, and the reliability of our fleet has been essential for our time-sensitive missions.”
Neil Ebberson, Project Manager for Bristow UK Search and Rescue, expressed pride in operating the S-92 for the UK MCA’s life-saving initiatives. “Our team is honored to receive this award. Sikorsky’s legacy in lifesaving, paired with the advanced technology of the S-92 helicopter, meets the rigorous demands of our SAR operations,” he added.
Established in 1950, the Winged-S Rescue Award Program celebrates pilots and teams who perform admirable rescues using Sikorsky helicopters. This award recognizes the courage and dedication of those who risk their lives to save others, in line with Igor Sikorsky’s vision for helicopters.
Since 2004, Sikorsky has delivered over 275 S-92 helicopters, primarily to operators in the offshore oil and gas sector and civil SAR missions. The S-92 is also utilized by eleven nations for their head of state operations. Notably, in May 2014, Sikorsky was selected to manufacture the next U.S. Presidential Helicopter Fleet, leveraging the robust S-92 platform for this advanced transport.
