CAPE MAY – On a day that began with threatening skies and cool temperatures, the Third Annual Coast Guard Community Festival drew a large crowd to Coast Guard Training Center Cape May on May 6.
As the sun fought its way through an overcast sky, thousands of residents and visitors were able to see demonstrations of the skills and equipment of the Coast Guard men and women as well as other first responders who daily work to keep the country safe from hazards that might be encountered.
The New Jersey State Police and the New Jersey Department of Corrections demonstrated dog handling as German Shepherd “Nero” chased down and captured a well-protected fleeing “suspect” during a K-9 demonstration.
Long lines were the order of the day as small response boats, cutters and buoy tender James Rankin, homeported in Baltimore, Md., were opened for tours.
Firefighting helicopters and other special equipment items were on display as well.
The main event of the day was the rescue swimmer demonstration conducted in the harbor as two Coast Guard response boats monitored for safety reasons.
Then a bright orange “helo” appeared over the harbor and hovered above the water. A highly-trained rescue swimmer was lowered down close to the water by a hoist, free falling the last several feet ending with a splash.
The swimmer deployed a smoke flare to replicate how a person or a vessel might alert the Coast Guard of their predicament. The Dolphin helicopter then retrieved the swimmer and hoisted him back aboard the helo to the delight of the crowd.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
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