Leonardo AW189

06/23/2025. Remarks by Johan Visschedijk: "The AW189 is a twin-engined, medium-lift helicopter, powered by two 2,000 hp General Electric CT7-2E1 turboshaft engines. Initially the type was manufactured by AgustaWestland, later by Leonardo (after AgustaWestland merged into Leonardo on January 1, 2016), the type number AW189 was retained.

In November 2022 the Netherlands Coastguard AS365 Dauphin 2 helicopters were replaced by three AW189 helicopters. The AW189 SAR helicopters for the Netherlands Coastguard are rented from and maintained by Bristow Netherlands B.V., at Den Helder Airport. Bristow also supply the crews: two pilots, one hoist operator, one winchman and one SAR nurse. The Coastguard can deploy two SAR helicopters 24/7, for performing search and rescue operations, medical evacuations and the transport of a mobile fire brigade team to an incident ship. One helicopter is stationed at Midden Zeeland Airport, another at Den Helder Airport, where also the third is based as a back-up.

Beside the five crew, the AW189 SAR helicopter has a rescue capacity of nineteen persons or space for two stretchers or a combination of these. The cabin offers space for treating patients. The helicopters are equipped with navigation, communication, detection and video equipment and other aids, including:

The three AW189s that arrived in the autumn of 2022 where PH-SAR, PH-NCG and PH-BSR, here there individual histories.

PH-SAR (c/n 89015) was constructed by Leonardo at Vergiate, Italy and made its first flight as I-RAIW on July 22, 2022. After being converted to a SAR helicopter it was registered in the Netherlands as PH-SAR to Bristow Netherlands B.V on October 26, 2022. Two days later this new SAR helicopter for the Netherlands Coastguard arrived at Den Helder.

PH-NCG (c/n 92001) was constructed by AgustaWestland at Vergiate, Italy, and was registered to AgustaWestland at Yeovil, England, as G-MCGN on December 23, 2014, the aircraft was finished in early 2015, and transferred to England. On April 14, it was registered to Bristol Helicopters Ltd., Aberdeen, Scotland as G-MCGN, it was reregistered G-CJNV on November 7, 2016, when it was chartered from Bristow. On December 21, 2017, it was registered back to Bristow Helicopters Ltd. as G-MCGN. Almost five years later the helicopter was converted to a SAR helicopter by Leonardo at Yeovil, November 26, 2022 it was deregistered from the British register as G-MCGN, the following day it was registered in the Netherlands as PH-NCG to Bristow Netherlands B.V. as another new SAR helicopter for the Netherlands Coastguard.

PH-BSR (c/n 92009) was constructed by Leonardo at Vergiate, Italy and was registered to Leonardo at Yeovil as G-MCGW on January 5, 2018, May 17, 2018 it was registered to Bristol Helicopters Ltd. at Aberdeen. After being converted to a SAR helicopter by Leonardo at Yeovil, it was deregistered from the British register on November 3, 2022. Five days later it was registered in the Netherlands as PH-BSR to Bristow Netherlands B.V. as a temporarily backup for the PH-SAR & PH-NCG. On May 5, 2024, the helicopter was deregistered and four days later it was registered back to Bristow Helicopters Ltd. as G-MCGW in the British register.

PH-RSQ (c/n 89002) was a replacement for PH-BSR. Constructed by Leonardo at Vergiate, Italy, in 2017, it made its first flight registered I-RAIU, was reregistered I-RAIW and appeared on the British register on August 3, 2017 as G-OENC, registered to Bristow Helicopters Ltd., Aberdeen. December 26, 2023 it was registered to Bristow Helicopters Ltd. in Ireland as EI-HKT. By May 12, 2025, the helicopter was converted into a SAR helicopter at Leonardo at Yeovil and EI-HKT was deregistered from the Irish register. On May 15, 2025, this new SAR helicopter for the Netherlands Coastguard was registered to Bristow Netherlands B.V. as PH-RSQ.

The Netherlands Coastguard has the three AW189s, PH-SAR, PH-NCG and PH-RSQ, still at its disposal."

(Johan Visschedijk Collection)