As the best selling medium twin turbine engine helicopter in the world with over 350 units on order by approximately 100 customers in nearly 40 countries, the AW139 has become the helicopter of choice in the SAR market and has also had great success in the emergency medical services market. Selected by leading SAR operators worldwide, the AW139 is now in operational service with several customers including the Spanish Marine Safety Agency (Sasemar), the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Japan Coast Guard. In March 2008 the Japan Coast Guard took delivery of its first three AW139 helicopters as the initial phase of a replacement programme for up to 24 helicopters. These helicopters will also operate from Coast Guard ships performing SAR duties. A month later three AW139s provided by CHC Helicopter Corporation entered service with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency providing 24 hour SAR cover for much of the English Channel from two bases, then in May 2008 Sasemar ordered three additional AW139s bringing the total number ordered up to eight aircraft. Sasemar already have three aircraft in service performing SAR and water pollution detection missions.

Torbay RNLI lifeboat station is looking for new volunteers to join its increasingly active Sea Safety team. The charity firmly believes prevention is better than cure and a growing number of people are being trained to help boat users avoid unnecessary incidents. Last year nearly 500 lifeboat launches* in the south west* resulted from machinery failure or a lack of basic sea safety knowledge.

Abersoch RNLI launched their Inshore Life Boat at midday on Thursday, June 26 to aid a capsized sailing dinghy, with 2 people in the water off the moorings at Abersoch.

RNLI lifeguards at Sedgewell Cove in south Devon assisted a family who were trapped in a cove 40 meters below the cliffs by the incoming tide yesterday (1 July). The lifeguards discovered the family, who were unaware of the danger they were in, while on patrol, and after assessing the conditions requested further back up from the coastguard to airlift them to safety.

Sunderland based Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboats rescued a County Durham woman and her dog this afternoon, after they become cut off by the rising tide at Chourdon point, Seaham.

The Conwy volunteer RNLI lifeboat crew were called into action at 9.35am today at the request of Holyhead Coastguard to assist a 22ft Power boat that had run out of fuel.

A third of all fishing vessels on the Isle of Man are in the process of being fitted with a unique safety device, which saved the lives of three fishermen off Sark less than a week ago. The Manx government has provided funding to significantly subsidise the cost of the MOB alert system to fishermen on the island. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry are now urging the remainder of the Isle of Man fishing fleet to take advantage of the potentially lifesaving device.

Peterhead RNLI lifeboat crew went to the aid of an 18 metre fishing boat during the early hours of yesterday morning (Monday 30 June),

Rye Harbour’s RNLI volunteer lifeboat crew launched on service in the early hours of this morning to a yacht which had run aground near the harbour entrance.

Today (Tuesday 1st July) the Royal National Lifeboat Institution will take over management of the former Cowes Inshore Lifeboat service, following a direct request to the charity from the trustees of the independent lifeboat service.