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Meticulous planning and outstanding airmanship, combined with obvious selflessness, resulted in the long-range rescue of 2 crew of a catamaran which was adrift in severe weather and at risk of breaking apart.
At 1754 on Monday 5th July 2021 the UK Maritime Co-ordination Centre were informed of a Personal Locator Beacon activation from a location some 240 nautical miles southwest of Brest. The beacon was registered to a 44ft Catamaran, ‘OCEAN SWIFT’, which was on passage to the UK. The ensuing investigation revealed that the catamaran had no radios capable of long-range communications but was also without a life raft. In consultation with the Spanish authorities, the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Madrid advised that Helimer 401, a Super Puma helicopter, was available for tasking, although due to the extended range it would only have very limited time on scene.
Attempts were also being made to contact the Catamaran using ships in the local vicinity, one of which reported terrible on scene weather with rough seas and winds gusting up to 48 knots. It also became clear that the yacht had no propulsion or steerage and the 2 crew were concerned that the vessel was likely to break apart in the prevailing conditions.
Helimer 401 arrived on scene 1 hour and 50 minutes after take-off, having battled strong headwinds to reach the catamaran’s location. The subsequent winching operations proved particularly demanding, including having to deal with a fast-drifting catamaran, 30 knot winds and waves of over 6m. Over the course of the next 20 minutes the crew of Helimer 401 recovered the crew in 2 consecutive winching serials, both of which were skilfully executed by the well drilled crew. With both crew members safely onboard, Helimer 401 started the long recovery to base, arriving home after a total flight time of 3 hours and 50 minutes.
Whilst the overall rescue was conducted without a hitch, it is clear that this was only made possible by the careful planning and skilful airmanship of the Helimer 401 crew. Well aware that they would be operating at the very limits of the aircraft’s range, and that any problems or mistakes could readily result in disaster for the catamaran’s crew or themselves, they expertly planned and executed a textbook long-range rescue and as such are fully deserving of a crew commendation for a time critical rescue.
