Bristow flies coronavirus patients off oil rigs
Bristow has launched a fleet of specifically-configured AW139, S76 and S92 helicopters to transport suspected or confirmed coronavirus victims ashore.
The operator has performed flights in the Gulf of Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. The first request came in on January 29th 2020. Since then a further 24 requests to transport offshore workers and deliver COVID-19 test kits to offshore platforms have been completed
“In the Americas Region, we have always possessed the ability to safely transport potentially infectious patients in our SAR aircraft. Though, the current response is the most comprehensive to date, consisting of a well-coordinated and aligned multiagency and multinational effort,” said Rob Phillips, senior vice president for Bristow’s Americas area.
“The safety, health, and welfare of our workforce, customers, and the public we support around the world is of the utmost importance to our global organisation.”
Expanding the service
To prevent the spread of the virus, Bristow is disinfecting every aircraft which has transported a suspected Covid-19 patient. The operator is also working with medical authorities, hospitals, federal agencies and health departments to support rescue operations in the Western Hemisphere, and potentially expand to other sites.
David Jacob, deputy area manager for the Americas area, said: “Our past, proven success with safely transporting patients with infectious diseases shows that our fleet of specially configured AW139, S-76 and S-92 helicopters, and more importantly, the training of our crews can safely and effectively transport suspected Covid-19 cases without infecting others.”
“We are ready to help and have the experience to do it the right way and can expand this service to where needed to help battle Covid-19.”
Offshore operators and Coronavirus
Offshore helicopter operators like Bristow are likely to be hit by the coronavirus if the number of cases increases on offshore oil rigs.
Coronavirus has driven down demand for oil and gas and impacted the day-to-day operations on oil rigs, spelling bad news for offshore helicopter operators who have, so far, witnessed an uptick in flight hours in 2020.
But with Bristow flying coronavirus patients off oil rigs in South America and looking to expand to other areas, it can perhaps mitigate some of the potential impact that could be felt if coronavirus continues to spread on offshore rigs.
Bristow has launched a fleet of specifically-configured AW139, S76 and S92 helicopters to transport suspected or confirmed coronavirus victims ashore.
The operator has performed flights in the Gulf of Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Guyana. The first request came in on January 29th 2020. Since then a further 24 requests to transport offshore workers and deliver COVID-19 test kits to offshore platforms have been completed
“In the Americas Region, we have always possessed the ability to safely transport potentially infectious patients in our SAR aircraft. Though, the current response is the most comprehensive to date, consisting of a well-coordinated and aligned multiagency and multinational effort,” said Rob Phillips, senior vice president for Bristow’s Americas area.
“The safety, health, and welfare of our workforce, customers, and the public we support around the world is of the utmost importance to our global organisation.”
Expanding the service
To prevent the spread of the virus, Bristow is disinfecting every aircraft which has transported a suspected Covid-19 patient. The operator is also working with medical authorities, hospitals, federal agencies and health departments to support rescue operations in the Western Hemisphere, and potentially expand to other sites.
David Jacob, deputy area manager for the Americas area, said: “Our past, proven success with safely transporting patients with infectious diseases shows that our fleet of specially configured AW139, S-76 and S-92 helicopters, and more importantly, the training of our crews can safely and effectively transport suspected Covid-19 cases without infecting others.”
“We are ready to help and have the experience to do it the right way and can expand this service to where needed to help battle Covid-19.”
Offshore operators and Coronavirus
Offshore helicopter operators like Bristow are likely to be hit by the coronavirus if the number of cases increases on offshore oil rigs.
Coronavirus has driven down demand for oil and gas and impacted the day-to-day operations on oil rigs, spelling bad news for offshore helicopter operators who have, so far, witnessed an uptick in flight hours in 2020.
But with Bristow flying coronavirus patients off oil rigs in South America and looking to expand to other areas, it can perhaps mitigate some of the potential impact that could be felt if coronavirus continues to spread on offshore rigs.