The Coast Guard air station in Clearwater has acquired some new technology that will help improve search and rescue missions in the Bay area. They’re upgrading to new helicopters.
Bay News 9 went along for a training exercise to take a look at the updated technology of the MH-60 T helicopter.
The training mission began when the helicopter lifted off from an air station and crews were searching for a boat floating in the gulf.
Crews used an LCD screen in the back and several in the front to better help locate the boat. It wasn’t long before crews spotted it, lowered the helicopter and started their rescue.
In been a real mission, Coast Guard officials say the technology helps by putting all of their information in one place.
“It’s one big computer now,” said AET Fernando Del Cid, “it’s unique because it will calculate everything for you.”
One of the upgrades is a new computer monitor, which crew members use to find people in trouble on the water.
It captures color pictures and video from multiple cameras from inside the cabin and down below. The older helicopters didn’t give pilots that kind of view.
It also has a better infrared camera, which uses body heat to find a victim.
“What’s unique about it is, we can track that person [in the water] and find a range to and from that person,” said Del Sid, “we mark it on our ‘lat and long,’ and fly directly to it.”
He says it saves precious time, so they can send a swimmer down to help.
Using the new screens, pilots can also access nearby airport and hospital information. The software automatically calculates how much time they have to complete each part of the rescue – and still have enough fuel to get back.
Coast guard officials say the tracking systems and still pictures can also help in drug smuggling investigations.
They are eventually upgrading all of their helicopters to have the new technology.