Advertisement We need your help now Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open. You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough. If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it. One-off amount I already contribute Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you. An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more. Investigates Investigates Money Diaries Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine The Journal TV Climate Crisis Cost of Living Road Safety Newsletters Temperature Check Inside the Newsroom The Journal Investigates The Explainer A deep dive into one big news story Sport meets news, current affairs, society & pop culture have your say Or create a free account to join the discussion Advertisement More Stories Irish Coast Guard helicopter.Alamy Stock Photo Heli Hassle A change in the company managing the Coast Guard's rescue contract has been pushed back to 2026 It is the latest problem for the new Coast Guard aviation service operators Bristow who are to take over from CHC Ireland. 11.26am, 16 Apr 2025 Share options THE TROUBLED COAST Guard aviation search and rescue contract changeover has been pushed back for a year. It is the latest problem for the new operators Bristow who are to take over from CHC Ireland which has seen a number of issues since the transition to the new contract began last December. The Coast Guard have four helicopter bases at Waterford, Shannon, Sligo and Dublin – the operation is run by a private contractor which carries out rescue operations and also air ambulance work. In August 2023, the Department of Transport signed a contract with Bristow Ireland Limited to provide for the next Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue Aviation Service. These services include maritime and inland search and rescue, environmental monitoring, helicopter emergency medical support and air ambulance services, with enhanced mission control and communications systems. As reported by The Journal in February that there was no night time cover for helicopter rescue operations off the west coast. Last week it emerged that there was an issue whereby the new helicopters were banned from carrying injured people on stretchers. The Journal reported last November that technicians working on the Coast Guard helicopter fleet voted overwhelmingly in a survey that they would consider industrial action. Advertisement Now this morning the problems have come to ahead with the Department of transport announcing that an agreement has been reached between Bristow and CHC Ireland on the phased handover of operations at Dublin, Sligo and Waterford bases. In a statement the Department said that Bristow Ireland commenced operations from Shannon in December 2024 and are now delivering a 24/7 service from the base. “The new agreement ensures a safe and uninterrupted rollout of the remaining bases, with full operational capability in place by early 2026. Crucially, the revised timeline involves no additional cost to the Exchequer,” the announcement said. Minister Sean Canney sought to reassure the public that there will be 24 hour, seven day a week rescue coverage while the Coast Guard iron out the snags with the new service. “I continue to prioritise the safe and effective transition of the aviation contract for flight crews, members of the Irish Coast Guard and the general public. I want to reassure the public that SAR (search and rescue) services will continue to operate on a 24/7 basis throughout the country during this process,” he said this morning. One problem that was previously identified was around radio relay for long distance missions in the last contract. Bristow is solving that issue by providing a fixed wing aircraft to do that. Most recent reports from sources is that it is not available at present and has been spotted doing training flights in the UK. When the helicopter goes far out to sea it moves out of the range of its communications back home – to combat that issue a helicopter or aircraft can assist them by being high enough above the rescuers to be able to bounce the radio messages back to land. In an expansion to the current aviation service for the Coast Guard, two King Air fixed-wing aircraft based at Shannon Airport. Existing CHC staff have the option of transferring to Bristow Ireland, the first tranche of staff transferred in November 2024 and both Bristow and CHC are committed to supporting their continuation of engagement with staff in relation to the transition of their contracts to Bristow. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Support The Journal Niall O'Connor Send Tip or Correction Embed this post To embed this post, copy the code below on your site Email “A change in the company managing the Coast Guard's rescue contract has been pushed back to 2026”. Recipient's Email Feedback on “A change in the company managing the Coast Guard's rescue contract has been pushed back to 2026”. Your Feedback Your Email (optional) Report a Comment Please select the reason for reporting this comment. Please give full details of the problem with the comment... CHC ireland Coast Guard Heli Hassle Irish Coast Guard News in 60 seconds Harvard Univesity Trump threatens to strip Harvard's tax-exempt status after freezing university's funding 11 mins ago british law UK Supreme Court rules that the term ‘woman’ does not legally include transgender women 45 mins ago The Daily Poll What is your favourite music streaming service? 55 mins ago Pete Wilkins steps down as Connacht rugby head coach 57 mins ago HSE chief: Handling of care of Grace was 'abject failure, even by the standards of the 1990s' God’s architect Pope paves way to sainthood for Antoni Gaudí, architect of Barcelona's Sagrada Familia basilica German palliative care doctor charged with 15 murders using 'deadly cocktail of drugs' Gardaí open murder investigation into the fatal stabbing of a man in Youghal last night Conor McGregor hosts conservative American commentator Tucker Carlson in his Dublin pub Investigation Betsy Arakawa, Gene Hackman’s wife, researched illness symptoms days before her death Over €10 billion in Irish pharmaceutical products were exported to the US in February more from us Investigates Daft.ie Property Magazine Allianz Home Magazine The 42 Sports Magazine Money Diaries The Journal TV Journal Media Advertise With Us About FactCheck Our Network FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition more from us TV Listings GAA Fixtures The Video Review Journal Media Advertise With Us Our Network The Journal FactCheck Knowledge Bank Terms & Legal Notices Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition © 2025 Journal Media Ltd Terms of Use Cookies & Privacy Advertising Competition Switch to Desktop Switch to Mobile The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie Report an error, omission or problem: Your Email (optional) Create Email Alert Create an email alert based on the current article Email Address One email every morning As soon as new articles come online