The rescue helicopter base at Portland, Dorset has been revamped at a cost of £3.5 million, guaranteeing fully operational status at all times. Two years ago, the flight was threatened with closure due to flood risk.

The reconstruction has included a control bank to guard against bad combinations of high spring tides and severe weather. A new, 3050sq m hanger has been built, complete with administrative offices.

The helicopter was moved to its present site following the Royal Navy’s withdrawal from the old Portland Naval Air Station in 1995. In 2002 the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, by then responsible for the service, considered relocating the flight to Lee on Solent.

A major issue was the investment required to secure the flood-prone Portland base if it were to continue in operation. However, by early 2003 the decision was taken to preserve the Portland service, based on a number of considerations.

Not least was the strong reaction from divers and other sea users who feared longer call-out times for the busy Portland area if the flight closed. Coastguard statistics showed that, the previous year, Portland had handled more diving incidents than any other rescue area.

In the further two years since Spring 2003, the Portland helicopter has flown some 400 missions and, says the Coastguard, evacuated “several hundred” people.

It is one of twelve SAR flights in the UK. Six are run by the RAF, four by the Coastguard and two by the Royal Navy.

Related links
Portland rescue helicopter saved
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