CG Helicopter Winch Action

Cool! I know they occasionally call people and ask if they'd mind being practised on; I've always hoped they'd call me one day. Didn't realise they'd do it by request :)

Pete
 
tom_sail said:
Thanks for sharing them pictures :) by the looks it the wheels look like can retract any reason they are down?
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Do they retract, or is the mechanism we can see just the suspension? Doesn't look to me like there's enough vertical height in the sponsons to hold the aft wheels, nor can I see any doors (though admittedly doors aren't strictly required). Also no visible hatch or well for the nosewheel though the picture isn't great and there might be a closed hatch there).

Pete
 
ashonavega said:
BTW, what happens to the hi-line (correct terminology?)? Does the chopper drop it and leave it with the peeps on the ground / in the boat?
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No, they pull it back up again once the winch man is back in the helicopter. No winch, just hand-over-hand. It does have a weak link in it so could be left behind if there was a problem, and I believe they carry a couple of spares, but they don't normally leave them around the place.

Pete
 
When I helped deliver Puddock's boat from Dunstaffnage to Peterhead, we got a call from Rescue 137 to ask us if we'd object to a practice. Great experience and incredible skill by chopper crew.
 
What's the betting that next time they have an abortive callout they get deluged with offers of practice targets? :)

Must admit I'd not have had the cheek to call up Solent and ask. Be interested to hear ChanelYacht's take on it.

Pete
 
Giblets said:
Cor, you like living on the edge nipping through the Southsea Barrier inner gap like that!:eek:
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S'what it's for, isn't it?

Living on the edge would be going over the blocks. In the Channel Pilot, Mr Cunliffe kind of implies that you ought to be able to, although he does also warn that you'll be haunted by the ghosts of frustrated U-boats if you try.

Pete
 
From the piccies, I would strongly suggest that anyone pulling in the line for a hi-line wears gloves - also not shown, but that there should be a 2nd person tailing behind them putting the rope into a bucket - the helo crew are really keen the line doesn't get tangled or caught!

Also, ensure that all crew are fully briefed before the helo arrives - it is impossible to communicate when it is overhead, and virtually impossible when it moves to the port quarter.

It is possible to formally request a Hi-line exercise if one knows where to ask - subject to tasking on the day of course.
 
prv said:
S'what it's for, isn't it?

Living on the edge would be going over the blocks. In the Channel Pilot, Mr Cunliffe kind of implies that you ought to be able to, although he does also warn that you'll be haunted by the ghosts of frustrated U-boats if you try.

Pete
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would love to see a U boat attempt to submerge in that area of the Solent ;-)
 
From the pics, you'll see that the aircrewman comes in over the port quarter. This is because the pilot's seat is on the starboard side of the aircraft - and he approaches under direct vision. He looks out of the window!
This is why, unless there is a reason otherwise, you should position any "clutter" like Dan Buoys, outboards etc, on the starboard quarter of your boat. You knew that already - of course.
Anybody wish an egg to suck?
 
tom_sail said:
Thanks for sharing them pictures :) by the looks it the wheels look like can retract any reason they are down?
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I'm not familiar with the new IJ type of aircraft, but it maybe that if you hover that low with the wheels up, you get a constant audio warning to stop you landing on expensive lights and aerials. Put the wheels down and the annoying voice shouting "undercarriage undercarriage" goes away.
 
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Mark-1 said:
India Juliet was called out on a rescue in Chi which came to nothing. So we radioed Solent CG to see if they wanted to practice on us. And they did. They winched a guy onto the Sadler 32 we were sailing, and back off. Much fun ensued.
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Just a reminder, in case anyone here should need to speak to the CG helicopter on VHF, that the new Lee-on-Solent aircraft has a different callsign from its predecessor.

The previous aircraft, an S-61, was known as India Juliet because of its registration (G-BDIJ).

The new one has a similar registration (G-CGIJ) but uses the callsign Coastguard 104 if on exercise, or Rescue 104 if on a job.

And the point someone made about wearing gloves when using the hi-line was a good one.

RNLI lifeboats carry a pair of heavy working gloves for this very purpose.
 
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