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castles and rotorcraft

354 Surrey Dr.
Bonita
909-841-5929
just when you least expect it, just what you least expect

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castles and rotorcraft

  • hello
  • retirement
  • blog
  • 5 Photos
  • values

Fair Winds

July 25, 2015 stephen mcnabb
2015-07-18 18.37.44.jpg

This is a picture from my Client's yacht, after I had landed while it was underway.  I probably touched down a tad aft, as the helideck itself is just a tiny bit smaller than I had imagined and the visual picture of landing so close to the yacht's superstructure takes a little getting used to.   The ensign is from the ship's country of registry, the Cayman Islands; the white circular area near the deck edge is the helideck lighting, and the landing surface--teak, of course.  Everything meticulously maintained. 

The yacht is staffed with a crew of around 15, of various nationalities.  The 2nd Captain and acting Master is American, the lead Chef German, the Purser British.  It's a tightly run ship, with schedules and duties delineated and methodically carried out, but with a sense of ownership and camaraderie.  

It's also runs a busy schedule.  So far we have sailed to Bonifacio on the southern tip of Corsica, then to Olbia a little bit south on on the island of Sardinia, and last night we just returned from St. Tropez after more helideck training (it's been a very long time since I've practiced engine failures on short final to a ship..!).  

Helicopter operations are taken seriously--there are three people on deck during landings and takeoffs:  an HLO (Helicopter Landing Officer) who runs the show (subject to the Captain's final approval), and two crewman who are donned with firefighting gear from head to toe, and at the ready with water and fire retardant.  In addition they deploy tenders (small boats, stored in the yacht's hull) that are standing by in case we have to ditch into the water.  

 

← PrugneDay 13 →

where we are now:

Stephen is in North Carolina, Stewart is holding the fort down in Bonita.  

 

Where we're headed next:

Stephen is headed to Baja California next week, for the BAJA 1000 offroad race.  

 

websites we frequent:

Stephen

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