U.S. Coast Guard simulation prepares for worst scenario

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By Justin Burrows - email

SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) - Semper Paratus, or always ready, that's the motto for the U.S. Coast Guard and their job is to rescue, but what happens when they are the ones who need to be rescued?

"We rescue ourselves. We're the Coast Guard, so we have no one else to call," said Captain Donna Cottrell with USCG Air Station Savannah.

"We're always there for the public, we're always there to help people, but there are times when we might need help," said Executive Officer Nick Bartollotta. "We practice in case one of our air crafts or personnel has a problem and then we can go out and help them."

In what's called a 'Mishap Drill' conducted between Tybee Island and Hunter Army Airfield, the U.S. Coast Guard Air Station Savannah simulated a scenario where one of their helicopters has crashed into the water and the crew needs to be rescued. A role-reversal for many of them that brought a new perspective.

"The knowing of, 'is someone coming to get you? Where are they are at? What's going through their mind?' When you do see them flying around in a circle and not coming right at you, you question a lot of things in your head," said Petty Officer Jeff Kortis.

Reality is the goal, so the simulation is based on past mishaps recorded by the Coast Guard's safety department in some of those accidents, also comes the loss of life, like the recent midair collision between the Coast Guard and Marine Corps over San Diego that killed nine people.

"It was a tragic event," said Captain Cottrell. "We lost seven Coast Guard members and two Marine Corps. pilots, and it happens, it's always a surprise when it happens, but at the same time, we practice this on a yearly basis, but that definitely brings it home."

"We make sure that we know exactly what happened so we can hopefully in the future never let it happen again," said Executive Officer Bartollotta.

For them, being prepared to handle the worst, will ensure they are always ready.