Thursday, October 23, 2014

SAR


Support your local search and rescue team - get lost!
~ Bumper Sticker

One fine August afternoon, there was an unmistakable sound of a helicopter nearby. Usually, you might hear its approach and shortly afterward, its departure as it zooms by. This sound was different though. It neither got louder, nor did it diminish. It just.. hovered. I headed out onto the dock and saw that it was a military rescue craft, and it was indeed hovering over Blueberry Island.

None of these photos are all that sharp - partly because it was a hazy day and Blueberry Island is at a fair distance across the bay - and partly because I was sitting on a floating dock - and they tend to bob, especially when boats go by, and they do that fairly often on a fine, August afternoon.

Enough excuses. Here's the rescue as it happened.

5 rescue
The first thing I saw was a Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue (SAR) Griffon helicopter (or so my military son tells me) simply hovering in front of the rock face. Then a tiny orange blob appeared. That blob turned out to be a person suited up to be lifted into the craft.





2 rescue
The helicopter immediately pulled away from the area. I figured its mission was over. It came toward me.





3 rescue
Then veered past me.





4 rescue
It flew over the point to the right of our place and disappeared behind the tree line for a few minutes. It never really got any quieter though.





6 rescue
Before I knew it, it was back again, picking up two more people. It must be both frightening and exhilarating to dangle over the treetops and rock face like that.




9 rescue
Moments later, the next person was on his or her way up. This one appeared to be a bit more upright.




11 rescue
A few seconds later, they were being pulled into the craft.





15 rescue
With everyone safely inside, they immediately took off again. Doesn't this view just conjure up the opening theme from M*A*S*H?





14 rescue
Once again, they made their way over the treetops.





17 rescue
They soon disappeared outside of my view - presumably to bring their rescued climbers to safe ground.

It made for an interesting half hour.

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My heart goes out to the family and friends of the young Hamilton reservist who was killed in Ottawa on Wednesday, while standing as the honour guard at the National War Memorial.

Rest easy Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.

 

Canadian Flag


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49 comments:

DJan said...

Wow! I hope if you hear more about this one, you'll let me know what was happening! :-)

Unknown said...

Having worked out of a broadcast helicopter, I can tell you that while it looks as if they are stationary, they are moving around quite a bit. My sympathies also to Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and his family--such senseless violence.

joeh said...

Looks like quite a dangerous rescue, kind of a tight squeeze for the chopper.

Our thoughts are with our friends up north for the senseless murders.

Cloudia said...

Amen. Our hearts are with all Canadians.


What exciting shots you share today!




ALOHA from Honolulu
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=


ADRIAN said...

Great sequence. I have done lot's of training work with SAR helicopters. Very brave are winchmen.

Bob Bushell said...

Beautiful images of the SAR team, so brave. Nathan Cirillo, RIP.

Andy said...

The events of the last few days have been horrible for the Canadian Military. Your photos show that they are well trained to handle any situation.

Gary's third pottery blog said...

Hard to know what to say at such a sad moment, but you documented their efforts beautifully.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

I add my best wishes to family and friends of the corporal.

Tabor said...

So sorry to hear about Canada's tragedy and agree with our President's immediate response. For American's you are like our brother or sister who moved to the beautiful countryside to live. As Carmi repeated and Fred Rogers said...there are always the good people coming to help and your posts reminds us of that.

thecrazysheeplady said...

Amen.

Linette said...

Amen to that beautiful post; my thoughts and prayers to the family of the fallen soldier of yesterday's attack in Ottawa. ♥

The pain and the grieving it must be horrendous. =0(

Omg I would probably pass out after being airlifted from the ground of six feet. lol

Awesome captures!

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Great job that SAR do. We have a friend who works for an SAR in northern NM, quite a dangerous but rewarding job according to his tales of work.
So very sorry to read of the tragedy in Ottawa.
Oma Linda

Red said...

You were the reporter with the ring side seat. Nice description of something not often seen. Most rescues are in remote areas.

messymimi said...

A great view of the rescue! Those rescuers do amazing work.

My heart hurts for Canada today, and i'm praying for all of you.

ellen abbott said...

ringside seat!

Anita said...

As someone who is very uncomfortable with heights, it would definitely be a frightening experience for me to be dangling in the air. Or... maybe I'd be so grateful to be rescued from sitting on a rock ledge high in the air, that the dangling wouldn't bother me. :)
Fascinating event for you to see!
As others have said, my thoughts and prayers are with the people and country of Canada.

stephen Hayes said...

Do you think this was a real rescue or possibly a training exercise?

TexWisGirl said...

hope those folks were fine - i'd hate to pay the bill for that kind of rescue. :)

Anonymous said...

So glad to hear the people were rescued. And so sorry to hear about the shooting in Ottawa.

A Cuban In London said...

Great photos. My thougts are with that soldier's family, too.

Greetings from London.

Rita said...

Yes, now I have the MASH theme music in my head.
That's awful about the shooting!

Ruth Hiebert said...

Interesting captures. We can be thankful that we have this kind of equipment ready to rescue stranded people.

Mandy said...

Horrible news from yesterday. Great set of photos! I'm humming the M*A*S*H theme tune now!

Brian Miller said...

oh i bet it was very interesting for a bit there...i was really hoping this did not have to do with the soldier that was shot yesterday...so sad...nice when they can be rescued...

yaya said...

My heart goes out to the families of the soldiers who were killed. You caught a brave crew to the rescue. Hope everyone is OK.

Barb said...

You certainly had a front row seat to the action there on your dock! You must update us if you find out more.

Shammickite said...

Canada is my chosen country, I wasn't born here, and I am outraged these so-called radicalised punks should be able to attack our democracy and everything that is important to our great country.... God bless those soldiers who became victims of misguided beliefs and terror.

Rob-bear said...

What a wonderful "ring-side seat" you have given us of a rescue mission. Very well done, Hilary!

The murder of another soldier (one Monday, another Wednesday) plus the invasion of our Parliament, is all so un-Canadian. RIP Cpl. Cirillo and Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent.

Blessings and Bear hugs!

Unknown said...

That must have been neat to see.

Jenn Jilks said...

It's important to laud these people who work like this.
Amazing shots, Hilary.
It's been a tough day here. Such a solemn occasion. The Highway is full.

Gail Dixon said...

What an amazing thing to witness! Looks like all were plucked to safety. God bless the SAR team. And God bless Cpl. Cirillo and his family. So senseless. :(

Linda said...

Bless the folks who devote their time to looking out for the safety of others!

Chicken said...

My sympathies, also. Is it just me or does it seem like these senseless crimes are on the rise? The helicopter shots are great. Do you have any idea whether it was a practice mission or a real rescue?

William Kendall said...

Great captures, Hilary!

Out on the prairie said...

A friend fell onto a ledge and it took 72 hours to find him and get him out. Amazing job to have.

ds said...

Wow. All of our hearts are with Capt. Cirillo and his family. Two very different types of bravery in this post. Thank you.

Kat said...

Wow! Very good catch! My kids would have been thrilled to witness such a rescue!

God bless, Cpl. Cirillo. RIP

Stewart M said...

The skill of these pilots is remarkable really - given that they are flying a machine with the aerodynamic properties of an anvil!

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

Unspoken said...

I'm so sorry to hear about the soldier who lost his life. A senseless, heartbreaking tragedy.

Kamana said...

wonderful captures

EG CameraGirl said...

How exciting that you got to witness that rescue! It sure is pretty where you live!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing rescue you got to watch. We frequently hear the helicopters heading out as we aren't that far from CFB Trenton.

Kerri Farley said...

Great captures of the rescue!

Very sad happenings this week :(

Mage said...

Great shots, and thanks for mentioning cpl cirillo. thank you also for the very encouraging notes.

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

I immediately thought of your son when I heard of the tragedy. There is much too much violence in our world.

Impressive photographs of this rescue! Kudos to the ones who suit up and do this to help others.

Wendy said...

FrighteningI and exhilarating - I can only imagine. I wonder why they were stranded? Too high up and couldn't get down? Someone taken ill? Or was this a "drill"? Hmmm food for thought.

I hope you sent your pics in to the local paper, Hilary. Those shots are good!

Such a shock on Wednesday to hear of the violence on Parliament hill. Far too close to home and what a senseless tragedy! That soldier was too young to die (aren't they all?)

I too thought of your son. Glad he's safe.



Indrani said...

Looks like a successful rescue operation. Great documenting in pics and words.

Kerry said...

Last month when we ere in eastern OR I took a bunch of pics of helicopters pulling buckets of water from a mountain lake. It was fascinating to watch them! The pilots are so skilled.