Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard New Helicopters

Kustwacht Caribisch Gebied, March 04, 2023 - The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard has commissioned two new helicopters.

The contract with the leasing company Draken expired at the end of last year and a lot of hard work has been done in recent years on new contracts for new helicopters.

The two new helicopters, under an interim contract, have been supplied by the British company Bristow Helicopters Limited.

With the interim contract with Bristow, the Coast Guard has guaranteed the helicopter's flight capacity for its services.

Of the two helicopters, one is currently in Coast Guard livery whilest the other in still in Bristow colours.

As of mid-2023, both new helicopters will be in the Coast Guard colors and these helicopters will fly for the Coast Guard for 10 years.

The type of helicopter, AW-139, remains the same for both the interim contract and the new contract, but the sensors of the new helicopters have been improved, there are better means of communication on board and the helicopters are better equipped for search and rescue.