Solent Coastguard

[Gemini]

Left Brighton on Friday mid afternon as we approached the run in towards the Solent from outer Owers the coast guard helicopter approached and request we go to CH 67 , they requested permission to carry out a training excerise by winching a crew member on to my stern section of a Fairline Targa 39.
My grand kids were wondering what was happening, I told them I arranged it for them as a special treat .
We maintained our course and speed 22-23knots the helicopter approached and hoovered over head and winched there crew member on to my stern seat in the cockpit. ( very impressive )
We then slowed whist the helicopter circuled and came back, once on the approached we increased to 22-23knots whilst they lowered the winch/ harness and lifted there crew member back on board.
The grand kids face where a picture, wonderful experaince and a very skillfull coast guard crew thankfully . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[rickp]

Great isn't it? Happened to us a couple of years back, but not since /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

We heard the helicopter calling a boat - so wonder if that was you? Did they ask you to remove your ensign?

Rick

 

[Sneds]

What a treat! Wish I was there /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[mad_boater]

Missing the solent already. Only been gone since April after 6yrs.What have I done?

 

[Frontier]

Wow how lucky,

I can just picture the kids faces.

No photos?

 

[Kawasaki]

[ QUOTE ]

My grand kids were wondering what was happening, I told them I arranged it for them as a special treat
The grand kids face where a picture, wonderful experaince and a very skillfull coast guard crew thankfully . /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
You are full of Sh$t
Brilliant, Der wanna job as a Used Car Sales ---------
Wait for it-----
Executive!
Jealous, never happened to Me!
What a Grand experience for You and Your Family.
Nice /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Nick_H]

Seems to happen a fair bit. I'm sure they need the training, but I think there's a bit of showing off in there somewhere

 

[nicks]

You can call them up if you see them out and if they're not on a shout they'll drop a crew member on your boat.

 

[peterb26]

When I was a coastie, I watched scores of winchings from various decks and it is always exciting.

However, the ultimate exciting winch is when they do it at night.

At night, from the deck of the boat all you can see is this mass of lights on the helo getting closer and closer, and it really looks as if you could reach up and touch it.

I have seen about a dozen night winches, and have always gulped and thought "I hope that pilot doesnt get it wrong".

 

[Hurricane]

[ QUOTE ]
Seems to happen a fair bit. I'm sure they need the training, but I think there's a bit of showing off in there somewhere


[/ QUOTE ]

But it is also good for general awareness and it cant do any harm to get as many people as possible involved in the process - it helps to make us all think it is OUR service and we have a personal attachment to it - do the French do anything similar - I think not!!

 

[Gludy]

I have had 2 landings on board with Whisky Bravo from Portland and the practice is good for both sides - removes a bit of the mystery and that has to be good.

 

[oldharry]

Saw you doing it all as I was on my way in to Chichester - great with the Grandkids aboard! Jealous!