This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21934077

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Bristow Group 'to take over UK search and rescue' Bristow Group 'to take over UK search and rescue'
(35 minutes later)
A US-based company is to take over Britain's helicopter search and rescue operations, the BBC understands.A US-based company is to take over Britain's helicopter search and rescue operations, the BBC understands.
A statement due before the London stock exchange opens on Tuesday is expected to confirm the Bristow Group has won the contract from 2015 to 2026.A statement due before the London stock exchange opens on Tuesday is expected to confirm the Bristow Group has won the contract from 2015 to 2026.
It is understood the firm is planning to replace ageing RAF and Royal Navy Sea King helicopters with modern Sikorsky S-92s and AgustaWestland 189s.It is understood the firm is planning to replace ageing RAF and Royal Navy Sea King helicopters with modern Sikorsky S-92s and AgustaWestland 189s.
The contract will bring to an end 70 years of UK military search and rescue.The contract will bring to an end 70 years of UK military search and rescue.
After 2017, military involvement in search and rescue will cease and a new civilian contract will come into force.
Bristow has already been preparing crews for coastguard duties at Sumburgh in Shetland and Stornoway in the Western Isles.
The UK's military and coastguard search and rescue helicopter service is also based at Culdrose, Wattisham, Valley, Boulmer, Portland, Lee-on-Solent, Chivenor, Leconfield, Lossiemouth and Prestwick.
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: "The department has been going through the procurement process and we're due to make an announcement soon."A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: "The department has been going through the procurement process and we're due to make an announcement soon."
The RAF Sea King helicopter was due to go out of service in 2016, so the government concluded search and rescue should be contracted out, said BBC political correspondent Chris Mason. The department began the procurement process in November 2011 for providing search and rescue (SAR) helicopter services on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
It wanted all-weather SAR helicopter service able to operate throughout the UK, including mountainous terrain and at sea.
According to Bristow's website, its helicopters and pilots have already rescued more than 7,000 people in the UK. It also operates in the Netherlands, Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, Russia, Brazil and Canada.