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To: republicangel
Wow! I spent 3 years on destroyers (three different ones) out of Norfolk back in the early 60's - and know just how lucky that sailor was to be found!

He had to stay afloat, and was likely trained to know how to make 'water wings' out of his pants (knot pant legs - capture air, put under arms.)

But, even with good training, a sailor in the water is very hard to see from on board a ship in any kind of surface chop. Most likely he was spotted from an aircraft.

What I really want to know is how he happened to fall overboard... because that just doesn't happen very often, unless a sailor is doing something awfully dumb.

13 posted on 10/20/2010 6:49:34 PM PDT by Ron C.
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To: Ron C.

Report says they are investigating. I will post when the media reports it.


14 posted on 10/20/2010 6:56:13 PM PDT by republicangel
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To: Ron C.

Having done many searches for a PIW (person in the water) back in my CG days... this is nothing short of a miracle. A person floating the water is a tiny, tiny thing. It’s almost impossible to spot, especially from the air. Even when you know where to look... the chances of being seen are just abysmally small.


15 posted on 10/20/2010 7:03:02 PM PDT by Ramius (Personally, I give us... one chance in three. More tea?)
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To: Ron C.; All

I have a friend who’s an ex-sailor. He tells about being chosen by his shipmates go the the coke machine which was on a flight deck of some kind. The ship was going through VERY rough seas, with 30 foot swells. One came up unexpectedly and nearly washed him overboard—he was only saved by grabbing a rail of some kind with one hand.


23 posted on 10/20/2010 10:21:13 PM PDT by AnalogReigns
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To: Ron C.; All

I have a friend who’s an ex-sailor. He tells about being chosen by his shipmates go the the coke machine which was on a flight deck of some kind. The ship was going through VERY rough seas, with 30 foot swells. One came up unexpectedly and nearly washed him overboard—he was only saved by grabbing a rail of some kind with one hand.

Later he transferred into submarine duty...


24 posted on 10/20/2010 10:21:50 PM PDT by AnalogReigns
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