Nevertheless, as Bond Offshore Helicopters managing aircrewman Andrew Mottram likes to point out, this anecdote illustrates the extent to which response times can be reduced—sometimes by one or two hours—when helicopters are stationed offshore. This is one of the basic principles of the Jigsaw helicopter rescue system developed by BP, which can also be utilized by other oil companies operating in the region. A 15-year contract for this service was awarded to British operator BOH in March 2006. The company uses the Miller oil platform, situated halfway between the Scottish coast and Norway, as its offshore base.
It should perhaps be pointed out that the terms of the Jigsaw contract are extremely demanding. BOH is required to guarantee the sea rescue—by winch—of 21 persons anywhere in a defined zone of the North Sea using helicopters stationed at this base, and to transport them to safety in less than two hours! This explains the special emphasis given to crew training, which can take place twice a day in the most demanding periods. Adding the time needed for refueling the aircraft after each mission and various technical flights (for testing, reconfiguration, etc.), it is easy to understand that Jigsaw operations account for 1700 flight hours for a total of fifty or so rescues, or over 100 hours for each mission actually undertaken.

Two SAR Helicopters
In terms of technical resources, the Jigsaw system relies on two exceptionally well equipped AS332 L2 Super Puma helicopters, the second of which is based in the Shetland Islands. They are supported by 5 similar aircraft deployed on transport missions to carry personnel to and from the drilling platforms. This activity accounts for 9000 flight hours annually. Bond Offshore Helicopters also operates flights on behalf of the British and Norwegian coastguards. The company has 40 years of experience and its present fleet comprises no less than 12 helicopters, all from Eurocopter. The three EC225s are currently used for passenger transport.