Portland’s coastguard helicopter has been grounded after concerns were raised about the safety of its rotor blades.

All AW139 model helicopters made by AugustaWestland, who operate a site in Yeovil, Somerset have been grounded following concerns for the safety of the rear rotor blades.

An AW139 carrying workers from an oil rig crashed on August 19 in Brazil, killing four people.

Following the crash the European Aviation Safety Agency issued an Airworthiness Directive for the aircraft and for the Agusta-Bell AB139, it said that the crash off the southeast coast of Brazil may have been caused by cracks in a tail rotor blade.

The directive imposed a new life limit on helicopter tail rotor blades of 600 hours or 1,500 flight cycles – take offs and landings.

This has grounded helicopters across the world including Portland’s coastguard rescue helicopter while they get replacement tail rotor blades delivered and fitted.

A spokesman for Portland Maritime rescue co-ordination centre on Weymouth harbour side said that rescue services had not been affected and that rescue duties would be covered by the Lee-on-Solent helicopter and an army helicopter.