The helicopter is a CH149 'Cormorant' flown by 442 Squadron based at CFB Comox on Vancouver Island. It would never land on a ship to take a person off for evacuation. The deck of the ship might not be able to take the weight of the helicopter, or big enough to allow adequate clearance for the rotors. It is standard practice to lower the SAR Techs (Search and Rescue Technicians) to the deck and then lift them off once the casualty has been "packaged". The first lift was the casualty (in the stretcher basket) with a SAR Tech attached (not hanging on as suggested in the voice over). The second lift was the NOK (Next of Kin), again with a SAR Tech attached and the third lift was the remaining crew. This video shows a completely normal, run of the mill rescue hoist. The aircraft circling in the background is a CC130 'Hercules' which I suspect is providing communications support and/or radar coverage for the helicopter. It likely also carrying SAR equipment and technicians. It probably launched out of CFB Comox as well. Both the Hercules and the Cormorant are flown by the Canadian Military. BTW... I'm an ex Canadian Air Force navigator...
I'm surprised the ship appeared to be motionless. As I recall over 30 yrs ago in the Lab days, The vessel maintained a certain speed, 5-8 knots in a particular direction relative to the wind. This so the pilot could maintain forward motion and see the boat or ship involved in the hoist. I was told at the time with the technology of the day it was easier to maintain forward movement that holding a hover.. Chime in with thoughts.
I'm not a sailor and know next to nothing about helicopters. My sole experience with a Lab was getting lifted out of the water (and then put back down into the water) during sea survival training. My sole experience with the Cormorant is a quick orientation flight as a CASARA volunteer. My guesses are: Since it is a cruise ship it probably has azipods and bow thrusters so it can stay in one position without the need to keep water flowing over a rudder to maintain steerage. The helo then just has to point nose into the wind and maintain position relative to the ship therefore effectively flying slowly forward.
The uninformed yet highly confident commentary by the passengers as to what's going on in this video is hilarious. "Oh MY GOD. IT's a SPACE ALIEN. You're right. IT'S DEFINITELY A SPACE ALIEN!! What are they doing??? Don't go in the water!! Look how strong they are!! They have to hang on the whole way down!! What's that military plane circling? Is it watching the aliens? I dunno. Maybe it's trying to land. But the winds!! They're too strong!! They're also too strong for that 32,000 pound alien helicopter with three engines. It can't land either!! WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO??? Meanwhile, the rescue crew nonchalantly does their thing, pack up and fly away. Applause 👏
The helicopter is a CH149 'Cormorant' flown by 442 Squadron based at CFB Comox on Vancouver Island.
It would never land on a ship to take a person off for evacuation. The deck of the ship might not be able to take the weight of the helicopter, or big enough to allow adequate clearance for the rotors.
It is standard practice to lower the SAR Techs (Search and Rescue Technicians) to the deck and then lift them off once the casualty has been "packaged".
The first lift was the casualty (in the stretcher basket) with a SAR Tech attached (not hanging on as suggested in the voice over). The second lift was the NOK (Next of Kin), again with a SAR Tech attached and the third lift was the remaining crew.
This video shows a completely normal, run of the mill rescue hoist.
The aircraft circling in the background is a CC130 'Hercules' which I suspect is providing communications support and/or radar coverage for the helicopter. It likely also carrying SAR equipment and technicians. It probably launched out of CFB Comox as well.
Both the Hercules and the Cormorant are flown by the Canadian Military.
BTW... I'm an ex Canadian Air Force navigator...
Thanks so much for this info!
I'm surprised the ship appeared to be motionless. As I recall over 30 yrs ago in the Lab days, The vessel maintained a certain speed, 5-8 knots in a particular direction relative to the wind. This so the pilot could maintain forward motion and see the boat or ship involved in the hoist. I was told at the time with the technology of the day it was easier to maintain forward movement that holding a hover.. Chime in with thoughts.
I'm not a sailor and know next to nothing about helicopters. My sole experience with a Lab was getting lifted out of the water (and then put back down into the water) during sea survival training. My sole experience with the Cormorant is a quick orientation flight as a CASARA volunteer.
My guesses are:
Since it is a cruise ship it probably has azipods and bow thrusters so it can stay in one position without the need to keep water flowing over a rudder to maintain steerage.
The helo then just has to point nose into the wind and maintain position relative to the ship therefore effectively flying slowly forward.
How sad for that family having to go through something so tragic
We got to seeone of these on the Carnival Vista, at night, during Hurricane Irma! it is incredible.
Unbelievable!
I love how theyre shocked its a female.
You can get chicks if roll up in a big yellow helicopter
The uninformed yet highly confident commentary by the passengers as to what's going on in this video is hilarious.
"Oh MY GOD. IT's a SPACE ALIEN. You're right. IT'S DEFINITELY A SPACE ALIEN!!
What are they doing??? Don't go in the water!!
Look how strong they are!! They have to hang on the whole way down!!
What's that military plane circling? Is it watching the aliens? I dunno. Maybe it's trying to land. But the winds!! They're too strong!!
They're also too strong for that 32,000 pound alien helicopter with three engines. It can't land either!! WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO???
Meanwhile, the rescue crew nonchalantly does their thing, pack up and fly away.
Applause 👏