Rotornut,
I have been trying to find something on that incident. I seem to remember reading that one of the people involved suffered long term damage to his vision. Not sure what to use to Google it but the info must be around.
Rotornut,
Should have looked a bit more.
"The crew of the Canadian CH-124 Sea King helicopter received hostile fire from a laser weapon on the Kapitan Man," Mr. Smith said. "As a result of this unprovoked attack in U.S. waters, Cmdr. Daly\'s eyes were permanently burned, as was the right eye of the helicopter\'s pilot, Captain Barnes, which ended his flying career."
This would be the case you were referring to. Not sure what kind of laser was used. The Russian vessel was searched but nothing found. Probably at the bottom of The Strait of Juan de Fuca.