Nottingham Lynx Ditching
Press Release from Invincible:
3 Mar 05 (As at 1100L)
HMS NOTTINGHAM – Lynx Ditching
HMS NOTTINGHAM’s Lynx and 3 aircrew ditched shortly after 0800 Local (0400 GMT) on Thu 3 Mar 05. The Mk 8 Lynx from 815 NAS had been conducting a routine surface search in the Indian Ocean, when at 0755 she made a MAYDAY call. The Lynx ditched in a controlled fashion and all 3 aircrew escaped unhurt. The helicopter sank soon afterwards in deep water.
The ditching took place about 120 miles to the east of Oman, with HMS NOTTINGHAM, HMS INVINCIBLE and FS GUEPRATTE in the vicinity. The multinational force immediately reacted to effect a rescue, aided by the nearby Merchant Vessel, Wilhelm Schulter. HMS INVINCIBLE’s 771 NAS helicopter recovered the 3 aircrew to the aircraft carrier. They will be returned to HMS NOTTINGHAM later in the day.
HMS NOTTINGHAM is part of a Task Group operating in the Gulf of Arabia. She is acting as escort to HMS INVINCIBLE, where Rear Admiral Charles Style CBE, Commander of the UK Maritime Forces heads up the Task Group as part of MARSTRIKE 05 deployment.
An investigation into the incident has started.