Re: UK Coastguard SAR - Bristow out??
Bit of both really.
Portland can and has covered it though it's well over the french side.
Depends on the type and seriousness of the incident, as well as who is coordinating it and which aircraft is more readily available.
They have got their own fixed wing SAR aircraft as well as their own lifeboats which they task themselves.
Assuming the SAR 139 has doors either side, is there any worth in having a hoist either side?
A laymans thinking would be that it would help balance the aircraft and gain a little flexibility in which side you winch from.