Division Eleven Wins International ISAR ... - USCGAUX District 7

Events happened quickly. The victims needed attention immediately. Debris surrounded them on fuel-covered
waters. As Bidwick said, “The adrenalin was flowing furiously and we drew on our training to make proper choices.”
Soon rescue boats from the Venice Fire Department, Sarasota Sheriff Department, and police agencies appeared
on the scene. One of them took the nurse on board and another brought the third victim on board. While this was
happening, the fire department boat passed a litter to Partner-Ship and the crew transferred their victim. Once the
transfer was completed, the fire department boat headed for the Crow’s Nest inside the Venice Inlet where a medical
team awaited them. The Double Deuce crew continued to administer first aid to the pilot while they also headed
for shore.
USCG Cutter Vise was in the immediate vicinity repairing aids to navigation. They contacted Partner-Ship and requested
her to stand by the crash scene to provide security and to assist in recovering debris.
At about 1300, the Vise and Partner-Ship were released by Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. Once on shore, the
crew of Partner-Ship met with the crew of Double Deuce to begin a debriefing while the events were still clear in
their minds. A representative of the NTSB joined them a short time later to complete the debriefing. It was during
this time that they sadly learned that the two photographers had died and the pilot has been air lifted to Bayfront
Medical Center.
Bidwick stated, “This is the kind of day we prepare for in our training; however, little did we expect our vessels and
crew to be first responders. I am really happy that we were able to rescue the pilot, but I am truly sad that we could
not save the lives of the others aboard the helicopter.”
Jose L. Obregon of the National Safety Transportation Board headquarters in Miami sent the following message to
Commander Bidwick: “On behalf of
the National Transportation Safety
Board, I would like to thank you and
the outstanding US Coast Guard
Auxiliary members who assisted in
the initial phases of the investigation
of the Bell 206 helicopter accident
that took place on September 11,
2007. The hospitality of your personnel
and the utilization of the Coast
Guard Auxiliary facility for those
days was a key factor for the well
organized and expeditious recovery
process. Please pass along to all
under your command the appreciation
I want to extend for the assistance.”
Ω
Page 14
Partner-Ship, the bow in the foreground, rescued one of the photographers
aboard the helicopter and Double Deuce, seen to the left off its bow, rescued
the pilot. In the background is the Coast Guard Buoy Tender Vise from St.
Petersburg, Florida.