August 7, 2010 (Groton)– A Connecticut Wing patrol aircraft crewed by members from around the state was asked to locate a partially submerged vessel drifting that could become a hazard to other boaters in the Groton-New London area,
After a performing an area search, the air crew, Capt Leonard Kimball, Capt James W. Fearon, and 2Lt Donna E. Yount located the completely swamped vessel. The boat having previously been abandoned was drifting and invisible to other boaters traveling in Long Island Sound. After locating the target, they orbited the site until a Coast Guard patrol craft arrived. With a very good airborne sight picture, they safely guided the patrol craft to the swamped boat so they could take charge of the recovery.
This and many missions like it are funded by a grant from the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management Services and Homeland Security. Throughout the entire summer Connecticut’s volunteer members fly periodic patrols along Connecticut’s Long Island shore area. Whenever required, they assist the Coast Guard and other Connecticut agencies in search and rescue as well as infrastructure surveillance operations. This program is administered by the Connecticut Wing Liaison Officer, Major Jack Shapiro.
No comments:
Post a Comment