Sidmouth Lifeboat crew support troops in military training exercise

The naval troops were practising a technique called Helicasting which is used by special operations forces to insert troops into enemy areas.

It involves Commandos being dropped into the sea from a helicopter hovering low over the water. They are then picked up by raiding craft to go ashore into the enemy territory.

The Royal Navy’s website explains: “Helicasting takes immense skill and team-work – from those dropping into the raging surf, to the small boat teams and, of course, the pilots who hover their aircraft just above the waves to allow the Commandos to deploy. 

“The technique is used to quickly get troops ashore but also to access routes inland which a foe would regard as unpassable for conventional forces.

“It’s a technique best suited to small teams with a reconnaissance role, and one that both Commandos and aircrew are looking to rediscover and further develop.”

In the training exercise eight troops were dropped from a Merlin helicopter and picked up by the lifeboat. They were then winched back into the helicopter in pairs.

Sidmouth Independent Lifeboat's Helm, Martin Barnard, took part in the exercise.

He said: "We are moving at speed and as you steer the boat into the storm under the helicopter it takes your breath away for moment, your helmet visor is ripped open and you can't see much. It's a whole team effort to get the troops off the deck quickly." 

Coxwain Guy Bennett said: “The crew thoroughly enjoyed the experience and got a lot out of it. It serves as excellent practice for recovering persons to the boat from the sea, and for the helm to hold the boat in position whilst underway under the helicopter, to complete the winch transfer. We have plenty of experience with this, through prior training with the HM Coastguard helicopter."

Kyle Baker, training officer and boat crew member, said: "This type of training also benefits the helm and crew, as they have to adapt to situations that they are not familiar with, for example the down draft of the Merlin compared to a coastguard helicopter, recovering multiple people onto the lifeboat, working out where to position them in the boat and maintaining good comms."