Rescues at sea occur in all sorts of sea conditions. Emergency personnel therefore need to train, and train regularly. Gene Machine recently collaborated with the renowned Squadron 751 of Portugal, to let them do just that.
Squadron 751 is a helicopter search-and-rescue squad and part of the Portuguese Air Force. Since 1978, it has rescued more than 3,100 people.
Here, Gene Machine cooperates with Squadron 751. You’ll hear the squad pilot inform the crew that they’ll perform three maneuvers. One involves a rescue swimmer dropping from the aircraft. The video chronicles this procedure, in fact. Watch as the swimmer appears, attached to a winch, then slowly lowers to the deck.
This isn’t the first time we’ve noted Gene Machine involved in somewhat unusual activity. An Amels 180 delivered in 2013 (as Engleberg), the yacht made headlines here and in international media in December. That’s when Capt. Fraser Gow and the 11 crewmembers undertook a transatlantic cycling challenge. They set out to raise £20,000 (about $25,400) for two health-related charities, by taking turns on a stationary bicycle on deck. Over a distance of 4,736 nautical miles, the crew matched the megayacht’s speed as much as possible. Gene Machine can cruise at 13 knots, so that and the distance equalled a required average bike speed of 13.4 mph. Everyone took turns during each 24-hour period as well.
Interesting, while Gene Machine thanks Squadron 751 in the end credits, we think Gene Machine deserves equal thanks. A job well done all around.
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