Steel up for new Lydd coastguard base

The final 38.5m-long steel truss has been lifted into place to form the roof of the new hangar at Lydd Airport’s Search and Rescue (SAR) base.

The hangar at the Kent airport is the final new build base constructed for the UK SAR helicopter service, which is operated by Bristows Helicopters on behalf of HM Coastguard.

Two state-of-the-art helicopters will be housed inside the new hangar, which was erected by steelwork contractor BHC. The company has previously worked on five other UK SAR bases around the UK.

There are 10 coastguard bases distributed strategically around the UK, providing vital life-saving support – on and offshore – to the fishing and other marine industries, as well as to land-based incidents including mountain rescue, missing persons and other medical emergencies.

Each base is staffed by a group of dedicated pilots and specialist winchman paramedics, winch operators, engineers, and support staff, many of whom transferred to the new Coastguard SAR service from the former military operation.

The Lydd base is due to be completed in February 2018.