From what I saw on the TV the 'waving to the crowd' that the BBC newsreader (Darren) mentioned was just the pilot raising his arms to steady himself before hitting the water and / or aircraft, which was right beneath him.
Secondly surely the airframe can be salvaged and reused? I don't expect the electronic equipment will be much use now but I would have thought that the airframe could be saved. Just how much of an airframe can be used after being dipped (fairly gently) in salt water?