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Navy Leads Helicopter Recovery Efforts

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS090620-06
Release Date: 6/20/2009 10:15:00 AM

By Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communications

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Naval Sea Systems Command's Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV) concluded salvage operations June 10 of an HH-60H Seahawk helicopter that went down near the Los Coronados islands.

The Seahawk helicopter crashed May 19 while conducting training operations with USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during a composite training unit exercise. Supporting the accident investigation board, SUPSALV's remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations yielded the recovery of the aircraft rotor, engines, tail section and other aircraft components.

"This operation was executed quickly and smoothly," said Lt. Shaun Hayes, SUPSALV salvage engineer and project manager for this recovery. "The ROV operators, ship's crew, supporting naval ships and Navy divers embarked on Salvor, all worked extremely well together."

SUPSALV utilized its Deep Drone ROV while teaming with Sailors from USS Pioneer (MCM-9), USS Devastator (MCM-6), Explosive Ordnance Mobile Unit 1 and Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 to search and locate the HH-60H debris.

Deep Drone is the Navy's workhorse ROV designed to meet the Navy's mid-water salvage requirements down to a maximum depth of 8,000 feet of seawater. The deep ocean search and recovery systems are managed by SUPSALV and maintained and operated by a government contractor.

SUPSALV is responsible for all aspects of ocean engineering, including salvage, oil pollution response, in-water ship repair, contracting, towing, diving safety and equipment maintenance and procurement.