With the cabin door open, the winch man prepares to use the AW139GC's high-capacity winch. The helicopter is also fitted with bubble observation windows.

The under-nose Star SAFIRE FLIR turret and elongated radar nose somewhat spoil the fine lines of the AW139, but add immeasurably to the aircraft's capabilities in AW139GC form. Through the sensor turret, the crew is able to 'sparkle' a target with laser energy, for ranging purposes and to mark it for other rescue platforms.

With its long endurance and high-speed cruise, the AW139 is ideally suited to SAR duties around Italy's extensive coastline. Further purchases are necessary if the new helicopter is to fully replace the AB412CP and, perhaps, equip three new GC installations.

AW139GC '11-01', callsign NEMO 01, was the first of the AgustaWestland machines delivered to the Guardia Costiera. The type's Nitesun searchlight is mounted low down on the port fuselage side, just aft of the cockpit door.

Honeywell's Primus Epic avionics suite presents primary flight data on four vertical-format screens, with moving map imagery presented on a central, landscape screen. The pilots are able to select the data for display - here the command pilot's inner screen (to the right) has been configured differently to that of the co-pilot.