Providing security and safety for the six islands of the Dutch Caribbean - at and above sea - is the main task of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. Aviagraphers had an in-depth look at its helicopter operations.

British helicopter provider Cobham operates two AW139s helicopters on behalf of the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard. One of these is seen here, with registration PH-DCG.

Crews are mixed – Dutch military and British contractors –thus enabling operational military experience, police flying skills and local knowledge to be combined.

The AW139 has a state of the art cockpit which significantly reduces the workload of the pilot. As a result, daylight missions can be flown with one pilot only.

Coastal patrols are flown daily along the rugged coasts of the Dutch Caribbean islands, like Aruba as pictured here. Note the natural pool!

Geography on the island is such, that limited mountain flying can be practiced, whilst inspecting the environment for unwanted activity.

Going RTB – returning to base, a shadow is captured over the Hato plains, a desert-like area near the home base of the helicopters.

Sistership PH-FBH leaves Hato airport for another late afternoon inspection mission. The nose mounted FLIR is a useful tool during daylight, but even more so at both dusk and dawn and during night ops.