February Coast Guard Training on the Merrimack River

I was near “Butlers Toothpick” at the Salisbury Beach State Reservation on February 25, 2016

when I spotted a Coast Guard cutter and helicopter arrived for a training exercise. I took the opportunity to photograph this event. The winds were strong that day and I was duly impressed with how the helicopter pilot hovered in place for 5 to 10 minutes at a time despite the winds so the crew could lower the rescue basket down to the cutter.

The helicopter kicked up a lot spray off the Merrimack River creating some rather dramatic photos. It created fog like conditions at moments which obscured the cutter.

 The helicopter is lowering the rescue basket down to the cutter.

Dramatic photo of the cold water sprat being kicked up by the helicopter.