In my seven odd years as an SAR S61N Commander, from what I remember, I always moved off from overhead the target to the extent of the hi-line if hi-lining on to a boat . Conditions could prevail that the hi-line had to be jettisoned and a new hi-line transfer done when the casualty and winchman were ready. At least, you would have someone on deck who knew what they were doing!! Hate to think the number of times the hi-line has been attached to the vessel by one of its crew but that was what the weak link was for.
If it was a simple deck winch then I would move off once the winchman was on deck due noise and downwash from the S61N and wait for him to call us back in when he was ready.
JohnW
Last edited by TipCap; 26th February 2011 at 12:12.
Reason: editorial