The twin-engine Dolphins operate up to 150 miles off shore with a crew of four. Though normally stationed ashore, the Dolphins can be carried on flight-deck equipped Coast Guard cutters .
Helicopters flying from icebreakers are the ship's eyes to locate objects over the horizon.
They also airlift supplies to ships and villages isolated by winter. The shrouded tail rotor is unique to the Dolphin. This system provides automatic flight control. At the pilot's direction, the system will bring the aircraft to a stable hover 50 feet above a selected object. This is an important safety feature in darkness or inclement weather.