VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
c. Rescue Stations (Helicopter Ship Operations).
(1) Rescue ships normally are not required during daylight helicopter operations of helicopter ships.
(2) At night, it may be necessary in certain circumstances to detail a rescue ship. Rescue ships may
be assigned the additional functions of action as reference ships to indicate the landing pattern for recovery
operations. These ships shall be stationed at distances from the helicopter ship on a bearing relative
to the helicopter ship’s air operating course as shown in Table 6-15. The number of stations used depends
on different conditions of visibility, horizon, and the desires of helicopter squadron commanders.
d. Rescue in the Vicinity of Ships Operating Aircraft.
(1) If forced landing occurs in the vicinity of a ship operating aircraft, the rescue destroyer, of helicopter
(or both), proceed(s) to rescue the crew without further orders. First to arrive becomes on-scene commander
and directs all supporting forces. The commanding officer of the destroyer is to assume on-scene
command when ready to avoid any maneuver that might endanger the helicopter. The helicopter shall approach
from downwind of the scene. The destroyer shall remain at least 500 yards upwind of the scene.
(2) The helicopter shall be the primary means of rescue during day or night operations except when
weather conditions preclude safe flight. During peacetime, the rotating anticollision lights will be
turned OFF indicating yielding of primary means of rescue to destroyer and/or motor whaleboat.
e. Rescue Outside Screen. In the event of a forced landing outside the screen, the nearest
screen ship is to proceed to rescue the crew without further orders. If more than one ship starts the rescue,
the senior of such ships will determine who is most suitably placed to continue the rescue, thus expediting
the recovery of personnel and at the same time ensuring that only one ship leaves the screen.
f. Ship Operating Aircraft to Make Signals. In the event of an aircraft landing in the sea from
the flight deck, the ship is to make the necessary signals to indicate the occurrence. In addition, the ship
should mark the location in the most appropriate manner, whenever circumstances permit.
g. Condition of Rescued Personnel. The parent ship is to be informed as soon as practicable
as to the number and condition of rescued personnel.
6604 DITCHING, BAILOUT, AND EJECTION
a. Ditching. The following procedures are designed to facilitate the safe landing and subsequent
rescue of the crew of an aircraft which must ditch at sea.
(1) Location. The pilot should attempt to ditch in a location most favourable for rescue operations.
(2) In a Rough Sea. If the sea is rough, a ship may be detailed to make a slick when time is available.
The pilot of the ditching aircraft should time his approach to land in the slick when it is in optimum
condition for a water landing. A destroyer (or helicopter) is to be detailed to takeup a rescue station
about 1,500 yards downwind of the ship making the slick. When the landing is made, the destroyer or
helicopter should proceed to rescue the crew without further orders.
(3) In an Emergency. In an emergency or when the tactical situation does not permit the foregoing
preparations to be made, aircraft forced to ditch near the fleet should try to land about 2,000 yards on
the lee bow of one of the leading destroyers of the screen.
(4) At Night. The pilot should first attempt to establish visual contact. He should turn on all available
lights and try to land about 2,000 yards ahead of a destroyer in the rear semicircle. After landing, he
6-82 ORIGINAL