*** Planned Ocean Rescue Underway *** From: James Finkle To: sarinfo@istar.ca Subject: Ocean rescue planning underway Date: Monday, October 20, 1997 8:34 AM Westhampton Beach, LI, 20 October Aircraft from this Air National Guard unit are preparing to launch from here early Tuesday morning en route to a sinking sailboat located 200 NM northwest of Bermuda. On board the sailboat are 3 people. Throughout Monday a Coast Guard C-130 maintained a watch over the vessel according to Lt. Col. Dennis Diggett, supervisor of flying for the 106th. The 47-foot ketch, Mannela, flipped over four times during the day he says. Three aircraft will be involved in the mission; one HC-130 Hercules to provide search, communications and refueling capability, and two HH-60 Pave Hawks which will make the pickup. On board all aircraft will be pararescuemen who will either parachute from the HC-130, jump from or hoisted from the helicopters. The plan calls for the aircraft to leave Westhampton Beach at 3AM and fly directly to the scene, a flight of approximately 3 hours. A freighter is 120-miles or 12 hours away from the sinking vessel, but is encountering problems of its own in the 20-30 foot seas. James J. Finkle, Major, NYANG Director of Public Affairs 106th Rescue Wing (516)444-8800 DSN 456-7401 Pager (516)584-1084 email jfinkle@lihti.org -------------------