Heliport
9th May 2003, 15:15
The crews of Taiwan Air Force Super Blue Hawk rescue helicopters that drew 36 beleaguered fishermen to safety and helped many more after a dormitory barge erupted in flames are winners of the American Helicopter Society's Frederick L. Feinberg Award.
The award is given to the helicopter pilot or pilots who have made the most outstanding achievement in the previous year. It is given in memory of Frederick L. Feinberg, an exceptional helicopter test pilot.
The 2003 honors were presented May 7 at the AHS International 59th Annual Forum and Technology Display in Phoenix.
Taiwan Super Blue Hawk approaches beleaguered fishermen. http://www.rotorhub.com/news/0305/siko2.jpg
As Taiwan television aired the unfolding drama on July 9, 2002, four Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk search-and-rescue variants scrambled to the hapless hulk, at times recovering two rescuees on a single hoist cable in wind-swept seas.
The Taiwan SAR helicopters also dropped 30 flotation devices in the water to assist the fishermen. Rescue vessels also pulled survivors from the water. A total of 133 mainland Chinese fishermen were saved from the air and sea. The barracks boat's cook was missing and the only reported fatality.
The barge Yuansheng No.2, which housed the 134 fishermen, lost power because of a mechanical problem as it was headed to shelter at Tungkang port in the southern county of Pingtung.
Gusty winds from Tropical Storm Nakri moved the vessel to waters off the coast of Kaohsiung before the flames raced through the vessel's engine room.
The blaze forced the fishermen to the boat's bow, while the rest of the vessel was engulfed in flames.
Three patrol boats raced to the area soon after the fishermen made a report to the Coast Guard Administration, only to discover that intense flames and smoke were billowing upward from the sinking vessel.
The award is given to the helicopter pilot or pilots who have made the most outstanding achievement in the previous year. It is given in memory of Frederick L. Feinberg, an exceptional helicopter test pilot.
The 2003 honors were presented May 7 at the AHS International 59th Annual Forum and Technology Display in Phoenix.
Taiwan Super Blue Hawk approaches beleaguered fishermen. http://www.rotorhub.com/news/0305/siko2.jpg
As Taiwan television aired the unfolding drama on July 9, 2002, four Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk search-and-rescue variants scrambled to the hapless hulk, at times recovering two rescuees on a single hoist cable in wind-swept seas.
The Taiwan SAR helicopters also dropped 30 flotation devices in the water to assist the fishermen. Rescue vessels also pulled survivors from the water. A total of 133 mainland Chinese fishermen were saved from the air and sea. The barracks boat's cook was missing and the only reported fatality.
The barge Yuansheng No.2, which housed the 134 fishermen, lost power because of a mechanical problem as it was headed to shelter at Tungkang port in the southern county of Pingtung.
Gusty winds from Tropical Storm Nakri moved the vessel to waters off the coast of Kaohsiung before the flames raced through the vessel's engine room.
The blaze forced the fishermen to the boat's bow, while the rest of the vessel was engulfed in flames.
Three patrol boats raced to the area soon after the fishermen made a report to the Coast Guard Administration, only to discover that intense flames and smoke were billowing upward from the sinking vessel.