Portland SAR Helicopter Service Ends After 27 Years of Lifesaving Missions
The search and rescue (SAR) helicopter service flying out of Portland has officially landed for the last time. Operated by CHC Helicopters Ltd. on behalf of Her Majesty’s Coastguard, the civilian Portland base launched in 1995, offering vital 12-hour rescue cover from western Hampshire to South Wales.
22 Years of Heroic Service
Damien Oliver, Assistant Director for Aviation at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), praised the crews and staff: “We are immensely proud of all the crews, engineers and support staff who have worked at the Portland SAR helicopter base over the past 22 years.” He added, “The Portland team has provided lifesaving services to the south of England for which we are hugely grateful.”
CHC Helicopters Pays Tribute
Keith Devaney, UK SAR Portland Base Manager at CHC Helicopters, spoke emotionally: “It has been CHC Helicopter’s greatest honour to provide Search and Rescue services on behalf of Her Majesty’s Coastguard. For the past decade, we teamed up with local agencies to ensure a seamless and efficient lifesaving operation. I want to thank everyone who worked here for their dedication to the south coast community.”
Next-Gen Rescue: The Future is Flying
In 2013, a new contract reshaped the SAR landscape, replacing a patchwork of military and civilian providers. The fresh service now runs from ten bases across the UK. Equipped with state-of-the-art helicopters, these crews can operate in all weather conditions, reaching those in peril anywhere across Britain — even in the toughest rescue scenarios.
