ALAMEDA, Calif. — A Coast Guard Air Station San Francisco MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew conducted a search and rescue demonstration in San Francisco Bay for approximately 650 Alameda elementary school children, teachers and volunteers Wednesday.
“This was a great opportunity to highlight two of our 11 missions, search and rescue and working with other government agencies,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kristine Neeley, from Coast Guard Pacific Area. “The children really seemed to enjoy watching the mock rescue put on by the helicopter aircrew and personnel from the Alameda Fire Department marine unit.”
Students, teachers and volunteers from Otis Elementary, Bay Farm Elementary, and Earhart Elementary Schools were invited to attend the demonstration, which took place between Bay Farm Island and the main city of Alameda. Students had the opportunity to view the simulated recovery of a person in the water needing assistance. A Coast Guard rescue swimmer was then deployed to recover the person and bring them into the helicopter.
“Today’s Coast Guard demonstrations and water safety discussions were phenomenal,” said Joy Dean, principal at Earhart Elementary School. “Because Alameda, in general, has some of the best schools in the Bay Area and because Amelia Earhart, in particular, recently received the honor as a California School of Distinction, we are a popular destination for many Coast Guard families. Earhart has had the honor of educating hundreds of Coast Guard children over the years and today’s events are a testament to the dedication, parent involvement, and community pride we all share regarding our children’s education.”
