WORK is going on around the clock to get the coastguard helicopter, which deals with all kinds of emergencies at land and sea, flying again within days.

The helicopter based at Portland, and two others of the same make, were grounded after a crash in Brazil raised concerns about the safety of the rear rotor blades.

The accident happened when an AW139 carrying workers from an oil rig crashed on August 19, killing four people.

The company contracted to operate the helicopter, CHC, said it hoped the make would be flying again within days rather than weeks. It said manufacturer Augusta Bell is working around the block to get replacement blades.

Dorset is currently being covered by helicopters from the coastguard base crew at Lee-on-Solent, the Royal Marines base at Chivenor in North Devon, and Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall.

Rescues are co-ordinated at RAF Kinloss in Scotland. A spokesman said they did not know how much emergency response times would be effected. They said coastguard helicopters were routinely called to incidents in each other’s area.

A coastguard spokesman said: “It’s not an ideal situation but safety is paramount. The manufacturers are doing their utmost to get new blades. I would say we are talking weeks rather than months.”

He pointed out the coastguard also has coastal rescue teams and can utilise RNLI boats.

The safety directive was issued by the European Aviation Safety Agency. It imposed a new life limit for the rotor blades of 600 hours or 1,500 take offs and landings.

The main coastguard helicopter at Lee-on-Solent has already had the work completed but the second helicopter there is also grounded.