Parachute flares help locate dinghy at night

06/10/2020

Search and Rescue crews used parachute flares to locate a dinghy at night. It was on the Solish Sea on the border of Canada and the United States.

Over Labour Day weekend, 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron and also Rescue Squadron at 19 Wing Comox were asked to come to the aid of a dinghy.

Captain Danny Schwager, a pilot with 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, 19 Wing Comox, says, “While it was a busy night for 442 Squadron, the coordination between the various organizations led to successful outcomes in both cases.”

A CC-115 Buffalo aircraft provided continuous illumination with parachute flares over the water. A CH-149 Cormorant as well as several Canadian Coast Guard vessels took part in the search amid strong winds.

Thanks to the light of the flares, the dinghy was found by the Canadian Coast Guard. The boater was then transferred to BC Emergency Health Services.

Later, search and rescue personnel helped in a medical evacuation from Bella Coola by a CH-149 Cormorant helicopter.

The stock picture of the CC-115 aircraft is courtesy of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Read about a rescue in Florida involving an off-duty firefighter.