What an incredible sight on the waters of Lake Ontario just off Cobourg.
On Monday, October 26, 2026, members of the Canadian Coast Guard and Canadian military took part in a search and rescue training exercise three nautical miles south of Cobourg.
Often people spot the Coast Guard vessel along with the helicopter from the shoreline, but, it’s a totally different experience to witness it up close from the deck of the Cape Rescue.
This is the kind of training that takes place to prepare crews for emergencies on the water.
Today’s Northumberland joined members of the Canadian Coast Guard cutter Cape Rescue as they worked alongside a CH-146 Griffon helicopter crew from CFB Trenton.
On board the Cape Rescue were Commanding Officer Jason Hicks, Engineer Sasa Brstina, Rescue Specialist Matt Aalbers, Sam Smith and Leading Seaman Devin Jones.
The exercise involved two Canadian Armed Forces Search and Rescue Technicians (SAR Techs), Master Corporal David Bergeron and Master Corporal Chris Woods, who were lowered from the helicopter onto the Coast Guard vessel.
While the operation may have looked straightforward from a distance, it involves considerable coordination between the helicopter crew, the rescue technicians and the vessel below.
Bergeron explained that the helicopter crew was conducting boat-hoisting training to maintain their operational skills and required training qualifications.
Search and Rescue Technicians must be prepared to conduct hoisting operations in a variety of environments, including water, land, mountainous terrain and aboard vessels.
To ensure they are ready when an actual emergency occurs, all five members of the helicopter crew – two pilots, one flight engineer and two SAR Techs – must regularly practise the procedures.
Training alongside the Canadian Coast Guard provides an opportunity to conduct these operations in a relatively controlled environment.
During Monday’s exercise, the Griffon helicopter operated approximately 40 feet above the water, putting it roughly five feet above the antennas of the Cape Rescue.
The helicopter and vessel must position themselves before the rescue technicians are lowered.
Bergeron explained that when conducting a hoisting operation involving a working vessel, rather than a boat that is disabled and drifting, the Coast Guard vessel is generally asked to head approximately 15 to 30 degrees off the wind line.
This allows the helicopter to approach and fly directly into the wind, where it has the most available power.
The helicopter’s angled approach also serves an important purpose.
By positioning itself approximately 15 to 30 degrees off the vessel’s heading, the pilot flying can maintain visual references of the boat through the helicopter’s window while carrying out the difficult manoeuvres.
Working in partnership with the flight engineer, who effectively guides the helicopter during the operation, the pilot moves the aircraft from what is known as the resting position to the hoisting position.
The resting position is approximately 80 feet away from the vessel. From there, the helicopter carefully moves directly above the boat to begin the hoisting operation.
Precision control is considerable, particularly when operating just feet above a vessel on the water.
Although Monday’s exercise was training, the skills being maintained are essential when responding to real emergencies.
Whether someone is injured aboard a working vessel, stranded on a boat or in need of rescue in difficult terrain, the ability to safely deploy trained personnel from a helicopter can make a critical difference.
For those watching off Cobourg, it was a fascinating opportunity to witness the professionalism, coordination and preparation that go into search and rescue operations on Lake Ontario.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
