SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING - ATLANTIC

UMPQUA RIVER, Ore. (Jan. 11) --- Crews from Station Coos Bay aboard a 52-foot motor life boat Intrepid are reaching for a hoist basket lowered by an Aviation Survival Technician off an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter (Air Station North Bend). Built in 1960 to replace wooden-hulled ships that carried the same names since the 1930's, these steel-hulled 52-foot motor life boats can withstand 100-mile an hour winds and sea swells up to 35 feet. These are the only Coast Guard vessels under 65 feet that have names.Motor lifeboats are the workhorses of rescue stations. Only four 52-footers are in service. They are built to withstand the most severe conditions at sea and are capable of effecting a rescue at sea even under the most difficult circumstances. They areself-bailing, self-righting, almost unsinkable, and have a long cruising radius. USCG photo by PA2 Sarah Foster-Snell