TowBoatUS San Diego Salvages Helicopter after it Crashes in San Diego Bay

As the busy Sunday for Vessel Assist San Diego was winding down, Captain Reggie Curry was tying the Vessel Assist Boat “San Diego” to the Vessel Assist San Diego Headquarters Pier, when he heard the call come in for a helicopter that had just crashed. As he got underway he located the crash site just a couple hundred yards from the pier. San Diego Harbor Police arrived on scene just seconds before Captain Reggie.   The Harbor Police Diver reacted flawlessly, dawning a wet suit and mask, jumping in the cool water of San Diego Bay, swimming to the cabin area to see if there were any other victims. Once confirmed that the pilot was the only person on board, he quickly rescued the shaken and confused Pilot, assisting him aboard the Harbor Police vessel. As the Police boat zoomed off to get the Pilot to the Hospital, Captain Reggie hooked a line to the stricken Helicopter as it started to drift quickly under the Coronado Bay Bridge. Once in tow Captain Eric Lamb on Vessel Assist ” Shelter Island” , who had just finished securing a Vessel Assist/Boat US member near Harbor Island, took over the tow because the helicopter would have to be positioned near a crane barge at Vessel Assist’s San Diego headquarters.
The powerful and maneuverable “Shelter Island” with Captain Christina Lamb aboard assisting with line handling, maneuvered the wrecked upside down helicopter close to the pier. With fuel spilling into the Bay, Captain Tony Olson and Captain Reggie Curry deployed containment boom and set up a containment Zone. Salvage Diver Captain Shane Thompson carefully attached lifting straps to first turn the helicopter over then attached more lifting straps to lift the Helicopter out of the water and onto a barge.
The crane lift was slow but deliberate as the helicopter looked like it was going to crumble at any moment. Once on the barge fuel continued to spill out of the ruptured fuel tank and out of the carburation area of the small but powerful engine. Captain Robert Butler inspected the Engine compartment and found one of the fuel tanks had a tear in the tank. A containment pan was placed under the area where fuel was spilling. With fuel spilling and the electrical system damages by salt water sparks caused by an electrical short became a huge issue. Captain Robert Butler and Captain Tony Olson, both boat mechanics started looking for a way to disconnect the battery system. Even with the electrical system disabled the risk of life was great with the highly volatile fuel pouring out of the craft.
San Diego Harbor Police deployed a fire hose from the Harbor Police boat Sweetwater and readied it within striking distance of the helicopter. After the fuel drained and was removed from under the craft the Harbor Police secured and returned to their normal patrol.