China S76C saves first life.
SHANGHAI, China
A Greek merchant seaman was saved on May 31, marking the first successful rescue mission using the S-76C+ SAR helicopter in China.
The helicopter, one of two new S-76C+ SAR aircraft imported by China's Ministry of Communications in 2001, flew 100 kilometers from Shanghai Gaodong Airport to the Greek ship Militois and hoisted the sailor, who was suffering acute kidney distress.
The Shanghai Gaodong Airport SAR base, equipped with two S-76C+ SAR helicopters, began operation in March this year. The airport is the first SAR airport in China.
The People's Republic of China selected two Sikorsky S-76C+ helicopters for Shanghai Salvage & Rescue Bureau's new base, a first step in a major upgrade of the nation's airborne offshore SAR capability.
Each S-76C+ SAR helicopter is configured with a rescue hoist, forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) system, a Nightsun searchlight, 4-axis auto hovering system, two interior patient litters and sophisticated avionics designed specifically for offshore SAR operations.
Fifteen S-76 helicopters fly in China, many in offshore oil support missions. East Asia Airlines of Macao operates five S-76C+ aircraft in the South China Sea.