If you didn't know . . . you'd have thought this "Save the Skipper" drill was real — lightening skies, rain, slightly choppy water and all! 1st Lt. Patrick Simon did another excellent presentation of the "man overboard" drill with members practicing with P/C Lowell Fowler on Born Free, and Lt/C Dale Harper on Release Me.
Patrick entered the water near the New River Air Station Marina using cammie bottoms as his PFD, which made him very hard to see in the rainy dark waters. Rescue procedures were initiated as an "emergency call" was put out for assistance from Rescue Helicopter "Pedro" at Cherry Point, and a flare was fired by the crew of the Born Free. Then, out of the approaching thunderstorm came Pedro, circling both boats until the "man overboard" was spotted. As the helicopter hovered overhead, a rescue swimmer jumped into the river and secured the man overboard. A basket was lowered for our victim, and the rescue mission was successfully completed, just as Pedro was socked in by the weather. It was a rescue that would make Hollywood proud!
The rescue mission was followed by a display and tour of Pedro after its landing near the ball field.
Marine Capt. Patrick Simon, New River Air Station, (1st Lt. with New River Sail & Power Squadron) explains the Man Overboard demonstration before beginning.
PEDRO at work . . . demonstrating water rescue in the New River aboard New River Air Station.
Capt. Simon, "rescued" from what started as a routine demonstration, and almost turned into a true "situation" thanks to the weather
