TF-LÍF

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Líf
Líf in August 2013.
Other name(s) TF-LÍF
Type Aérospatiale AS-332L1 Super Puma
Manufacturer Aérospatiale
Construction number 2210
Manufactured 1986
Registration TF-LIF
Owners and operators Icelandic Coast Guard
In service 1995-2020
Status On display
Preserved at The Icelandic Aviation Museum

Líf, also known as TF-LÍF, is an Aérospatiale AS-332L1 Super Puma helicopter that served the Icelandic Coast Guard for 25-years. It is named after Líf, the only woman foretold to survive the events of Ragnarök from Norse mythology, and is the first Coast Guard aircraft to bear the name.[1] It is the longest serving helicopter in the history of the ICG and gained national fame when it rescued 39 sailors in three separate incidents during a six-day period in March 1997.[2] In 2024, it was put on display at the Icelandic Aviation Museum.

History

Líf was ordered in June 1994[3] and delivered 23 June 1995. Its formal arrival at Reykjavík Airport was greeted by the president of Iceland, Vigdís Finnbogadóttir.[1][4]

In October 1995, Líf participated in the rescue operations after the 1995 Flateyri avalanche, transporting rescuers to the town and airlifting injured survivors out of it.[5][6]

During a six-day period in 1997, Líf rescued 39 sailors in three separate incidents.[7][2] On 5 March, 19 sailors from the cargo ship MV Vikartindur were rescued aboard Líf after it suffered engine failure and ran aground on the south coast of Iceland, east of Þjórsá.[8] One crewmember from ICGV Ægir washed overboard during the rescue operations and drowned.[9] On 9 March, the crew of Líf rescued 10 out of 12 crewmembers from the cargo ship Dísarfell after in sank 100 nautical miles (190 km; 120 mi) south east of Hornafjörður.[10] The day after, 10 seamen from the fishing vessel Þorsteinn GK were saved aboard Líf after the ship lost engine power and drifted towards the rocky cliffs of Krísuvíkurberg.[11]

On 9 March 2004, Líf rescued all 16 crewmembers of the trawler Baldvin Þorsteinsson EA-10 after it ran aground in Skarðsfjara on the south coast of Iceland.[12]

On 19 December 2006, Líf rescued seven sailors from

Sif, meanwhile saved 12 crewmembers of the cargo ship.[13][14]

On 20 January 2017, Líf transported members of the

Special Unit of the National Police Commissioner to the Greenlandic trawler Polar Nanoq, 90 nautical miles (170 km; 100 mi) south west of Iceland, to arrest the suspect in the murder of Birna Brjánsdóttir.[15][16]

In 2020, it was decided that Líf would be put up for sale.

Icelandic Aviation Museum expressed interest in receiving Líf for display, siting its historical significance.[20] The buyer, EX-Change Parts AB, donated the hull to the Museum along with several spare parts to aid in its restoration.[21] In March 2024, it was transported to Akureyri and put on display.[22][23]

Notable appearances in media

Líf was featured in the 2010 drama film Undercurrent along with the ICGV Týr.[24]

Notable captains

Further reading

  • Útkall TF-Líf - Sextíu menn í lífshættu, 1997. (in Icelandic): Book by Óttar Sveinsson about Líf.[25][26]
  • Þrautgóðir á raunastund, 2017. (in Icelandic): Book by Steinar J. Lúðvíksson featuring the story of Líf's rescue of 39 sailors in March 1997.[27]

References

  1. ^
    Tímarit.is. Open access icon
  2. ^
  3. ^ Lára Ómarsdóttir (9 March 2017). "Börðust í sjónum í tvær klukkustundir". RÚV (in Icelandic). Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  4. Tímarit.is. Open access icon
  5. ^ "Áratugur frá strandi Wilson Muuga". Víkurfréttir (in Icelandic). 19 December 2016. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  6. ^ Freyr Gígja Gunnarsson (20 January 2017). "Sérsveitin fer um borð í Polar Nanoq—myndskeið". RÚV (in Icelandic). Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  7. ^ "Tveir menn handteknir". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 18 January 2017. Retrieved 22 March 2021.
  8. ^ Elín Margrét Böðvarsdóttir (5 May 2020). "Þyrlukaupum frestað og TF-LÍF verður seld". Vísir.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 5 May 2021.
  9. ^ "TF-LIF verður brátt sett á sölu". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). 25 May 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2022.
  10. ^ "TF-LIF kvödd". Icelandic Coast Guard. 21 June 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  11. ^ Sigtryggur Sigtryggsson (14 September 2023). "Vilja fá TF-LIF á flugminjasafnið". Morgunblaðið (in Icelandic). Retrieved 5 February 2024.Closed access icon
  12. ^ Sigtryggur Sigtryggsson (10 February 2024). "TF-LIF flutt á flugsafnið á Akureyri". Morgunblaðið. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
  13. ^ Lillý Valgerður Pétursdóttir (14 March 2024). "Ekið með björgunarþyrlu til Akureyrar". Vísir.is (in Icelandic). Retrieved 14 March 2024.
  14. ^ Erla María Davíðsdóttir (14 March 2024). "Þakklátir að hún fái hvíld á Flugsafninu á Akureyri". RÚV (in Icelandic). Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  15. Tímarit.is. Open access icon