In December 1971 BEAH (British European Airways Helicopters) were awarded a contract by the Department of Trade Maritime Division to provide an SAR service from Aberdeen. One S61 was on standby 24 hours a day, winch equipped with trained crewmen (6 ex-military crewmen were recruited as winchops/men).
Although this contract marks the formal start of UK SAR ops by the company, it is noted that in 1968 a S61 rescued the crew of the 'Sea Gem' 110 miles off Flamborough Head, when the rig broke its moorings in a force 10 gale.
For a fuller account of the BEAH SAR unit read 'A history of British Airways Helicopters and its predecessors since 1947' by Lo Bao, published 1985 by Air Britain