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Tendering for rescue helicopter contract           28/11/11

The contract to operate Stornoway coastguard rescue helicopter is being retendered under a new  UK-wide air search-and-rescue deal.

Today, the Government started the procurement process for a contract lasting around ten years.

Under existing arrangements, search and rescue is provided jointly by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) - operating a fleet of Sea King helicopters from eight military bases, with a further four civilian bases - including Stornoway and Shetland - operated under contract to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The new arrangements are expected to start in 2013 and will see the end of military involvement in a dedicated helicopter search and rescue service.

It follows the collapse of a £6 billion privatisation deal in February. The Soteria consortium was to take over the contract and planned to install better Sikorsky S92s to be custom fitted for rescue missions.

But the Coalition government threw out the deal amid accusations of irregularities and the launch of a police probe into how the consortium got hold of commercially sensitive information.

Shipping Minister Mike Penning said: "The current arrangements have served us well for decades, and we are grateful to the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force for their great dedication in helping deliver an exemplary search and rescue service over the years.

But we cannot ignore the fact that, after their sterling service to our country, the Sea Kings are nearing the end of their life and it is time to look to the future.

“Commercial operations are nothing new in this area - the MCA's search and rescue functions have been provided on a contract basis for almost thirty years - and this system has served us well. This new, long-term contract will see the UK served by some of the most modern, well-equipped helicopters in the world."