The service, provided by CHC Helicopter Corporation on behalf of the MCA, has already completed a succession of testing missions, including the rescue of 14 fisherman from a fishing vessel after it ran aground in hostile conditions on St Kilda, the downmanning of an accommodation platform in the North Sea, and the evacuation of an injured fisherman from a vessel 240 nautical miles west of the Butt of Lewis.

The aircraft have now undertaken more than 50 operational missions since their phased introduction began last October. They are part of a CHC operated contract which involves introducing new technology aircraft at all four coastguard SAR bases around the UK.

Ian McLuskie, Search and Rescue manager with CHC said, 'The waters covered by the northern MCA bases feature a diverse range of commercial maritime activities, ranging from fishing and large scale cargo movements to offshore oil and gas production.

'The new aircraft were brought into operation to take the service into a new technology led era and have already proved their capabilities in providing an effective service to those who need it.'

The contract, which runs to 2012, will also see new AW139 aircraft introduced at the MCA’s two other SAR bases at Lee-on-Solent and Portland on the south coast of England over the coming months.