Navy helicopter rescues man in water.
“Man in the water!” wailed the sailor from the small vessel bobbing in the waves. A shrill whistle sounded. Moments later, a helicopter was overhead as the man worked to stay afloat. The enormous blades of the chopper whirled, slowly descending toward the ocean, setting off a cyclone of wind and water, tormenting the already desperate victim.
It had to be this way. There was no alternative. The man in the water was no frail tourist out for an afternoon boat ride. He was a brawny sailor, practicing life-saving maneuvers. He had to learn how to attach himself to a line lowered from a helicopter, and stay calm as it raised him through the air toward the belly of the chopper, with wind and water battering his body.
If he didn’t do it correctly today, there was a boat with other sailors nearby to help him, but he would have to face their guffaws. He knew these hardy men and women wouldn’t just chuckle quietly over his mess up. No, they would pester him for days to come, reminding him of his failing. They would do it in a jovial way, of course. Just as he knew he’d have to be a good sport about it, rather than responding in a surly manner. But the teasing would still sting.
Man is raised into the helicopter.
As I watched from my balcony, the man attached the line clip to his harness and became airborne. He looked straight ahead, seeming to glare at the horizon, as he was raised toward the helicopter. His icy hands were becoming numb. His legs swung free. His thoughts were focused on what he had learned about entering a helicopter while in flight. As he climbed aboard, a sense of relief cascaded over him. Not only could he face his friends now, he knew that this skill might one day save his life as a sailor in the South African Navy.
why was the man rescued?
It was a practice session so they would be ready in case someone really did need rescuing from the ocean.
Hi! Today in the U.S.A. it is Vetrans day! In South Africa is it Vetrans day on November 11 or a different day? Do they even have Vetrans day in South Africa?
Interesting question, Jennifer. Yes, South Africa remembers the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month when the treaty was signed to end World War I. South African troops had participated in the war (on the side of the United States), and everyone was very glad when it was over. There is no “holiday,” but there is a reminder to everyone through the newspapers and on TV to remember those who have fought for their country. They also ask everyone to stop for a moment of silence at 11:00 that day to pray, or to think about military people who have put themselves in harm’s way for others, and to think about how we can avoid war in the future.
Mr. Krump, did you ever do these types of exercises when you were in the navy? If so, what was it like?
Hello there Ms. C-B, it's great to hear from you.
Yes, we did man-overboard drills often. I don't remember ever doing a live one. We had a dummy named Oscar that they threw overboard and then brought the ship around and launced a boat from the boat davit to rescue him. A few times we came upon people stranded out at sea. One was a man on a sail/surfer (I forgot what those are called). He had strayed well out to sea from a beach in Beirut, Lebanon.
I worked in the telecommunications center on the ship, so I was not directly involved with any man-overboard rescues.
I remeber you told us you were in the Navy once!
Wow! Very clever, Ms. C-B!
I'll challenge my class to see how many words from the WordMaster list they can find!
🙂