HARPY exercise with Rescue-117

KINSALE
ANGLING

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Diving German WW1 minelaying submarine UC-42.

Propellor boss, WW1 German submarine UC 42

Propeller boss of one of WW1 sub UC-42's propellors. She lies sunk approx 5nm south of Roches Point. Photo ©Timmy Carey

Wreck of 1692

Sidescan sonar image of Wreck of 1692 (to be confirmed) discovered by Carroll O'Donoghue, owner/operator of HARPY, in 2015.

Survey equipment.

A selection of our underwater survey hardware. We're ready when you need us.

Divers off Old Head

Wreck-diving off the Old Head of Kinsale

Commercial Diving

Commercial Divers working on undersea pipes outside Kinsale harbour.

Recovering Diver

Recovering Diver after ascent from Lusitania wreck.

Kinsale Sunset

Sunset in Kinsale, pictured from the quays.

HARPY exercise with Rescue-117

HARPY on exercise with Rescue-117

Tuesday, 25/June/13 and HARPY is drafted-in for a helicopter exercise. Rescue-117, (call sign EI-CXS), the Waterford unit of the Irish Coastguard rescue helicopter service was looking for a "volunteer".

HARPY was called up on Channel 16. What had been a quiet days fishing in lovely weather was about to become very busy and very, very noisy...

Winchman about to descend.
As the winchman approaches he can be seen carrying the static line which "earths" and static voltage between helicopter and boat.
Winchman approaches.
Winchman descending...
Rescuer touchdown.
Directly overhead HARPY.Very, very low and very, very noisy.
Directly overhead.
Once the winchman is down, the helicopter backs-off somewhat from the vessel.
Sidling away.
Rotor turbulence raises a startling spray of water. Fantastic.
What a blast!
The helicopter exercise was a wonderful experience for the anglers aboard. But it was really special for the skipper - for these were his first cousins and their children on a very rare visit to Kinsale. What Luck! A huge thanks to the coastguard for this most memorable of days!
What a day!

As the winchman approaches he can be seen carrying the static line which "earths" and static voltage between helicopter and boat.

Directly overhead HARPY.Very, very low and very, very noisy.

Once the winchman is down, the helicopter backs-off somewhat from the vessel.

Rotor turbulence raises a startling spray of water. Fantastic.

The helicopter exercise was a wonderful experience for the anglers aboard. But it was really special for the skipper - for these were his first cousins and their children on a very rare visit to Kinsale. What Luck! A huge thanks to the coastguard for this most memorable of days!