Generally who is desirable and should be used for water recovery of Coast Guard helicopters?

• A. Commercial or other military service resources
• B. Local towing companies
• C. Private divers
• D. Coast Guard boats

Answer: (A)

Water recovery of a helicopter in the sea requires assets with heavy-lift capability, aviation salvage procedures, and trained personnel to safely lift and remove the airframe from water. Commercial salvage firms and other military services routinely perform aircraft recoveries, bringing crane barges, lifting rigs, certified divers, and environmental containment measures. They can respond quickly, coordinate with the Coast Guard, and apply established methods to secure and recover the helicopter while minimizing risk to rescuers and the environment.

Local towing companies generally don’t have the heavy-lift gear or aviation-specific salvage procedures. Private divers may lack the necessary equipment and safety controls for aircraft salvage and could introduce additional risks. Coast Guard boats can handle smaller recoveries and initial scene control, but they typically don’t provide the scale of equipment and specialized expertise required for recovering a large helicopter from water.