New era starts for R117 rescue helicopter at Waterford Airport as new operator takes over
Waterford becomes the fourth and final base to make the change to transfer to Bristow Ireland. Minister Sean Canney welcomed the final phase of the national changeover on Sunday last week, while the much loved Sikorsky S-92 Search and Rescue helicopter R117 left the airport for the last time on Tuesday.It’s a helicopter that has saved countless lives in the last 13 years, but has also become well-known for its connection to the Coastguard crew that died when Search and Rescue helicopter R116 crashed in Mayo nine years ago.Thoughts were with the family of pilot Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who had flown R117 for many years, when the helicopter left its station for the final time this week, and they were also on the brave crew who saved the lives of seven sailors, whose boat sank 70 miles offshore, in an incredible rescue five years ago.These achievements and more were at the forefront of thoughts at 00.01am on Sunday, February 1, as the Sikorsky S-92A EI-ICU was officially stood down, and EI-IRO - one of the new-generation AW189 helicopters - officially took over operations, according to Waterford Aviation.CHC Ireland has operated from Waterford Airport since 2002, initially with the Sikorsky S-61N and from 2013 onwards the Sikorsky S-92A.Until last Sunday, two Sikorsky S-92A helicopters remained in service at Waterford Airport, with EI-ICS departing on Sunday for the Isle of Man, and onwards to Holland, with the EI-ICU scheduled to depart later in the week.“To the Bristow transition team: welcome to Waterford - we hope you enjoy your time in the sunny southeast,” commented a spokesperson for Waterford Aviation. “To the S-92A flight and ground crew, we wish you well as you head back to training, and we look forward to seeing you all back soon at Waterford on the AW189.”The Irish Coast Guard said the milestone completes the move from the long serving Sikorsky S 92 fleet to a new generation of AW189 helicopters and a 24-hour fixed wing service.Former TD Matt Shanahan paid tribute to the crews of the R117 rescue helicopter. The new helicopters, while having a similar range and top speed to the Sikorsky S 92s, are lighter, more modern, and known to be more efficient and more adaptable.Former independent TD turned social advocate Matt Shanahan paid tribute to the Waterford based Sikorsky S-92 Search and Rescue helicopter which departed Waterford Airport for the last time on Tuesday, February 3.“She has been in service in Waterford since 2013 and in that time as well as affecting numerous rescues and recoveries on land and at sea, has also transported many cardiac and transplant patients across Ireland and the UK.“We thank her and her marvellous crews for the service they have given and we salute their bravery exemplified by Winchman Sarah Courtney and her colleagues for an amazing rescue of seven sailors, 70 miles offshore and 170 miles from Waterford base in March 2021. For this outstanding courage and dedication she and her crew rightly received citations for bravery.“We think too of Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, who flew R117 for many years out of Waterford and tragically lost her life along with her crew members Captain Mark Duffy, Ciaran Smith and Paul Ormsby in R116 tragedy off Mayo in 2017, highlighting the ever present danger of SAR operations.“The R117 call sign has now transferred to a new helicopter platform, the Augusta Westland/Leonardo AW 189 officially now in service at Waterford. This aircraft configuration has yet to prove she is an equally capable and formidable replacement to the S92 - we wish her crews every success as they begin activities in this new service plan.”Successive governments have failed to provide capital investment to Waterford Airport for the past 15 years and in 2022 considered moving R117 to a Cork base, although they rowed back on such a decision, according to Mr Shanahan.“The importance of this regional service to Waterford and the south east and the need to develop our airport offering has never been more clear or more appreciated."We expect that promised private funding will deliver passenger capacity to our airport and we expect to see the promises that were made as part of new upgrades promised in SAR contact awarded to Bristow delivered upon.“We wish our rescue services well. But I for one will miss the daily thump of the S92 reverberating around the locality and the comforting sound of her passing overhead in the early morning and late at night."I always knew at such times there were likely families somewhere desperately praying for a successful outcome. I also knew those families’ prayers were in the safest and best hands possible.“God speed S-92 - our Déise’s ‘Cara na Mara’. You have given great service and doubtless will continue to do so for others in the future,” added Mr Shanahan.
