Sikorsky S-92
in
Garda Cósta na hÉireann

Operated by CHC Ireland, as previously with the S-61N, one S-92A was stationed at each of the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) bases in Dublin, Shannon, Sligo, and Waterford, while a fifth aircraft was used as a spare replacement. The helicopters were registered EI-ICG, EI-ICU, EI-ICA, EI-ICR, and EI-ICD, with the final letters of the registrations spelling “GUARD.” The first aircraft, EI-ICG, was delivered factory-new, while the remaining airframes were former UK HM Coastguard helicopters previously operated by CHC Scotia.

Service began in early 2012 with EI-ICG (Rescue 115) entering operations at Shannon.

The S-92 fleet provided significant improvements in range (approximately 270 nautical miles), speed, payload, and all-weather capability compared with its predecessors, enabling extended offshore missions, enhanced casualty transport, and operations in challenging environmental conditions.

In 2015 alone, the four IRCG bases completed almost 900 rescues.

Over their years of service, the S-92s logged thousands of missions and flight hours supporting maritime emergencies and medical evacuations. The fleet also suffered a tragic loss with the 2017 crash of Rescue 116, in which four crew members were killed, underscoring the inherent risks of demanding SAR operations.

In May 2023, Bristow was awarded a 10-year contract to provide helicopter and fixed-wing SAR services for Ireland, including the replacement of the S-92 with the Leonardo AW189.