Search and rescue helicopter statistics: year ending March 2025
Civilian search and rescue helicopter activity statistics in the United Kingdom, year ending March 2025.
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Details
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Statistics on civilian search and rescue helicopter (SARH) activity in the United Kingdom, based on details of taskings recorded by the Aeronautical Rescue Co-ordination Centre (ARCC).
For the year ending March 2025:
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there were 2,849 civilian SARH taskings
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Prestwick base was the busiest of the 10 bases, responding to 450 taskings
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there were 1,342 people rescued and 264 assisted across all taskings
There was a 4% increase in taskings compared to the year ending March 2024. The majority of taskings were classified as rescue or recovery (1,372), followed by search (622), support (554) and pre-arranged transfers (301).
Interactive dashboard
Explore the data via our interactive search and rescue helicopter statistics dashboard covering SARH taskings from April 2015 onwards.
Notes and guidance
Notes and definitions and guidance about quality of these statistics is available.
Contact us
Search and rescue helicopter statistics
Email SARH.stats@dft.gov.uk
Media enquiries 0300 7777 878
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