Impressive rescue by US Coast Guard
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Impressive rescue by US Coast Guard
Master's Medal 2013 awarded to
Lieutenant Commander Vincent Jansen USCG
Citation:
Lieutenant Commander Vince Jansen USCG was pilot-in-command of US Coast Guard MH-60T rescue helicopter, call-sign ‘CG6006’ on 20 September 2012. In the face of 20 ft seas, near zero visibility, blowing rain, and icing conditions, he expertly commanded and piloted his aircraft, executing a non-standard, left-seat hoist to save four lives after the fishing vessel ‘Moonlight Maid’ sank in the Gulf of Alaska north-east of Kodiak Island.
Throughout all phases of planning and mission execution, Lt Cdr Jansen demonstrated exceptional airmanship, leadership and risk management by working closely with his aircrew to safely navigate to the last known position of the ‘Moonlight Maid’. After a brief search in the torrential rain, the crew spotted a single flashing strobe light bobbing in the twenty foot seas.
Lt Cdr Jansen immediately marked the position and established two-way radio communications with crewmembers from the ‘Moonlight Maid’, who had abandoned ship to the safety of the vessel's life raft after their vessel sank. He executed a precision instrument approach to the water and established a stable hover over the survivors in the vessel's life raft.
The raft of the Moonlight Maid with four mariners aboard as seen on FLIR. (US Coast Guard photo.)
With the aircraft hovering 50 ft above the raging 20 ft seas, Lt Cdr Jansen took control of the aircraft when the right seat pilot became disoriented by the heavy rain and the strobe light reflection on the water. With the co-pilot incapacitated, he assessed the situation and his own ability to conduct the hoist safely from the left seat.
Knowing time was critical for the helpless potentially hypothermic survivors, Lt Cdr Jansen briefed all aspects of the hoist, identified safety measures that incorporated feedback from the flight mechanic and rescue swimmer to aid him in maintaining a stable hover and safely executed four hoists from the left seat to rescue all four members of the ‘Moonlight Maid’.
At times waves were so big the rescue swimmer in the water was unable to see the life raft and Lt Cdr Jansen had to point the way with the helicopter’s search light, increasing the potential for disorientation. The flight mechanic, unable to see the water, guided the rescue basket by feel alone. Using excellent communication and coordinated actions the crew brought all four men safely aboard.
Lt Cdr Jansen’s extraordinary piloting skills, innovative and timely decision-making, and superb crew leadership were vital to the success of this case. His actions on the night of 20 September 2012 demonstrated extraordinary courage and the highest level of aviation skill, saving four lives. He is accordingly awarded the Master’s Medal.
Throughout all phases of planning and mission execution, Lt Cdr Jansen demonstrated exceptional airmanship, leadership and risk management by working closely with his aircrew to safely navigate to the last known position of the ‘Moonlight Maid’. After a brief search in the torrential rain, the crew spotted a single flashing strobe light bobbing in the twenty foot seas.
Lt Cdr Jansen immediately marked the position and established two-way radio communications with crewmembers from the ‘Moonlight Maid’, who had abandoned ship to the safety of the vessel's life raft after their vessel sank. He executed a precision instrument approach to the water and established a stable hover over the survivors in the vessel's life raft.
The raft of the Moonlight Maid with four mariners aboard as seen on FLIR. (US Coast Guard photo.)
With the aircraft hovering 50 ft above the raging 20 ft seas, Lt Cdr Jansen took control of the aircraft when the right seat pilot became disoriented by the heavy rain and the strobe light reflection on the water. With the co-pilot incapacitated, he assessed the situation and his own ability to conduct the hoist safely from the left seat.
Knowing time was critical for the helpless potentially hypothermic survivors, Lt Cdr Jansen briefed all aspects of the hoist, identified safety measures that incorporated feedback from the flight mechanic and rescue swimmer to aid him in maintaining a stable hover and safely executed four hoists from the left seat to rescue all four members of the ‘Moonlight Maid’.
At times waves were so big the rescue swimmer in the water was unable to see the life raft and Lt Cdr Jansen had to point the way with the helicopter’s search light, increasing the potential for disorientation. The flight mechanic, unable to see the water, guided the rescue basket by feel alone. Using excellent communication and coordinated actions the crew brought all four men safely aboard.
Lt Cdr Jansen’s extraordinary piloting skills, innovative and timely decision-making, and superb crew leadership were vital to the success of this case. His actions on the night of 20 September 2012 demonstrated extraordinary courage and the highest level of aviation skill, saving four lives. He is accordingly awarded the Master’s Medal.
Lt Cdr Jansen received his medal at the annual Trophies & Awards Banquet attended by the Duke of York, Grand Master of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots.
HH Judge Tudor Owen, Master of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots and
HRH The Prince Andrew Duke of York, Grand Master
Astronaut Captain Jim Lovell received the Award of Honour.
"Aviation bridges the borders of countries through flight and we all speak the same language. It was a real honor to represent the Coast Guard and the United States in front of the Guild of Air Pilots* and Jim Lovell, a pioneer in aviation. I only wish my whole crew could have come because it was not my achievement alone. We all worked together to conduct that rescue."
If you know an individual or crew you think should be considered for an award in 2014 contact:
The Honourable Company of Air Pilots
Cobham House
9 Warwick Court
Gray's Inn
London WC1R 5DJ
[email protected]
* HM The Queen granted a Royal Charter to the Honourable Company of Air Pilots in February 2014.
More info and photographs HERE
More info and photographs HERE
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I am sure they done a outstanding job winching over water at night is very challenging work. Looking at the photo maybe 20 ft swells but the photo has done the sea state a injustice.
Good work all the same 4 lives saved.
Good work all the same 4 lives saved.
