I was lucky enough to be able
to join the Durham Regional Police's Marine Unit during one of
their training exercises. At various points in the day, we had
3 of their boats out on Lake Ontario so they could practice safety
& rescue drills. We were even joined by a Coast Guard helicopter
carrying a pair of search and rescue technicians. It was great
watching all these skilled guys in action.
The helicopter rescues were very
dramatic and I even got into the action by donning a survival
suit and swimming over into a life raft.
Two of the boats we used during
the exercises.
The search & rescue helicopter
pacing the police boat, getting ready to lower a man onto the
deck by winch.
After they hauled him back up, the
police inflated a life raft. It was dumped into the water along
with 2 officers dressed in cold water survival suits.
The helicopter approaching the men
in the water, getting ready to drop the search & rescue team
near the life raft.
In they go. They jump from the chopper
into the water. It was especially tough since the downwash from
the helicopter tipped the raft over.
Hauling the team back out of the
water.
Up they go and back to the Canadian
Forces Base in Trenton.
Many thanks go out
to the great guys at the Marine Unit and the Coast Guard helicopter
crew.
