Glad to see they got out of it OK. As to night cliff rescues in N. California...
Both sailing vessels made it through the night safely.
Date of incident: 12 July 1994
Crash related deaths:
LT Laurence B. Williams (CG Aviator #2887)
LT Mark E. Koteek (CG Aviator #3113)
ASMCS Peter A. Leeman (CG Rescue Swimmer #147)
AM1 Michael R. Gill
Air Station the aircraft and/or crew were assigned to:
Air Station Humboldt Bay, CA
Aircraft type and Coast Guard tail number:
Aérospatiale HH-65A Dolphin, 6541
Location of the incident: Shelter Cove, CA
Description of the incident:
This crew was responding to a grounded sailing vessel. It was dark and the weather was poor as this crew attempted to descend through the fog to assist the vessel in distress. The helicopter impacted the side of a cliff and the entire crew was lost.
Date of incident: 8 June 1997
Crash related deaths:
LT Jeffrey F. Crane (CG Aviator #3188)
LTJG Charles W. Thigpen IV (CG Aviator #3310)
AD3 Richard L. Hughes
ASM3 James G. Caines (CG Rescue Swimmer #425)
Air Station the aircraft and/or crew were assigned to:
Air Station Humboldt Bay, CA
Aircraft type and tail number:
Aérospatiale HH-65A Dolphin, 6549
Location of the incident: At sea off the coast of Northern California
Description of the incident:
Responding to a sailing vessel taking on water at night the crew of CG-6549 perished in poor weather conditions and high seas. It is believed that the aircraft impacted the water while attempting to make an approach to the vessel.