Prince William Co-Pilots Helicopter Rescue in Irish Sea
- Posted on November 27, 2011 at 7:58pm by
Christopher Santarelli
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(The Blaze/AP) Prince William joined a frantic rescue mission Sunday after a cargo ship sank in the Irish Sea, leaving several crew members still missing.
The second in line to the British throne, who is a Royal Air Force helicopter and known professionally as Flight Lt. William Wales, was aboard an aircraft which rescued two crew members early on Sunday, after their vessel suffered a cracked hull in gale force winds off the coast of north Wales.
Britain’s ministry of defense said William had been co-pilot of the helicopter, which carried two people back to his base RAF Valley, on the Welsh island of Anglesey.
Authorities said five people remain missing after the Swanland cargo ship, which had eight people on board and was carrying thousands of tons of limestone, sent a mayday call.
Holyhead Coastguard said one body had been recovered from the sea, but that the fate of the other crew members was not yet known.
“We know that at least some of them are wearing immersion suits and have strobe lighting with them, however sea conditions are challenging at best,” said Jim Green, a coastguard spokesman.
Rescue helicopters from RAF Valley and from Dublin coastguard base in Ireland were initially sent to the scene, about 20 miles (32 kilometers) northwest of the Llyn peninsula in north Wales.
Helicopters from RAF Chivenor, in southwest England, and the Irish Coastguard are continuing to search for the missing crew, along with boats from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.
“Two RNLI lifeboats, along with four search and rescue helicopters and two other commercial boats, are searching for the remaining six crew,” the RNLI said in a statement.
Gale-force winds battered the Irish Sea during Sunday and the coastguard said it is believed the poor condition could have caused the incident.
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dmerwin
Posted on November 29, 2011 at 1:02pmWhy is this news? If he was the average British helicopter pilot this would not be here. So he does what he was trained for for one day a year? Who cares.
Report Post »Wolf
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 4:29pmBFD- so the prince got to ride along with a real pilot and crew, then gets all the press coverage for something he really had a minor part in shaping. Whoop-dee-doo for the prince, long live the… what a silly piece of Fluff-Po crap for a story.
Report Post »Beck’s gotta be scraping the bottom of the talent barrel to hire all these MidNite Enquirer reject reporters.
kalayaan
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 4:20pmWow…Prince William, although doing what he did was only a part of his job..he was willing to put his life in line to save another life…Lady Di not only raised him to be a good person she although raised him to have a “big heart’
I don’t think Obama will do the same to the American people…he would even encourage chaos so that this country will go down the drain..look at the Occupied Wall Street Protesters…their goal is only to destroy and create chaos to this country…and Obama is embracing them…what a waste…
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 3:21pmSorry,
Royal Air Force not Royal Navy.
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 3:20pmFirst, he is not a Royal Navy helicopter. He is a Royal Navy helicopter pilot. All he did was his duty.
Report Post »There is no story here.
Dismayed Veteran
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 3:22pmSorry. Royal Air Force.
Report Post »MUDFLAPS
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 2:43pmImagine all the men and women that do this every day and get no recognition. This guy takes a leak and the world has to act like its a major deal.
Report Post »paulusmaximus
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 8:35amHe was there, Good. It is never a piece of cake to stop a helo hold it and both pilots were busy as were the rest of the crew and the crew never gets the metal, prince or not!
Report Post »Old-n-Grey
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 6:22amCome on; people …why are you so cruel? It’s probably your envy and jealousy at the core of it. Prince William did not choose to be born into the family that he belongs to. He has in his short lifetime demonstrated over and over that he is a genuine human being; unlike most of the family to whom he is related. It was his mother, Diane who first demonstrated her genuine desire to reach out to regular people with a hand of compassion. William will forever be guided and influenced by the memory of his mother’s love for those who were less fortunate than she, and his personal drive to make her proud as the son she dearly loved.
Report Post »Baja Billy
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 9:25amWell said….
Report Post »JRook
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 11:05amThan he is just another co-pilot. So why the coverage if he is doing what 100s of them do everyday.
Report Post »supermurder
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 1:43amRather convenient, wouldn’t you say, old bean?
Report Post »Jackie Rogers, Jr.
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 1:19amWhat kind of a helicopter is he I wonder?
Report Post »Californiasodbuster
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 11:49pmI am glad William has a life, the rest of the royal meal tickets……yawn
Report Post »From one commoner to another.
last frontier
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 11:12pmHe’s like Putin, Obama should get involved with this selective low risk hero stuff, the media would eat it up.
Report Post »BlazingPatriot
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 11:10pmY a w n ……….
Report Post »Arizona Don
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 10:55pmI’m sure he is a great guy but WGAS:
Report Post »mrsalvage2
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 10:24pmWhat!
Disgrace I tellyou seeing the Royals actually work, no better than a commoner!
It canot be! Print a retraction! Print a retraction! He was just playing with one of Mummy’s toys.
Report Post »semihardrock
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 9:55pmIf the Euro COLLAPSES….the UK will NEED a “Hero” to “Lead Them” and speak to the people with a “Kind Voice” JUST AS Obama speaks and coddles the OWS crowd.
The new leader of the UK is emerging “through media” JUST AS OBAMA DID HERE in US!
Report Post »RossPoldark
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 9:53pmHope the rest of the crew involved in the rescue got credit.
Report Post »Baja Billy
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 9:34pmOnce again more vile remarks.
Report Post »paulusmaximus
Posted on November 28, 2011 at 8:32amMost of the vile remarks are from your fellow trolls and Ron Paul supporters the rest of us have learned to expect it form you both.
Report Post »Baja Billy
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 9:34pmMore vile remarks.
Report Post »Stoic one
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 9:15pmGlad lives were saved.
Report Post »PeachyinGA
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 9:08pmBlaze, what kind of RAF rescue helicopter was it?
Report Post »paulnashtn
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 8:40pmNot much of a story but better(and more interesting) than the trials and troubles of the Dallas cheerleader
Report Post »ULYSSESG
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 8:28pmJust more propping up a little boy that cant wipe his own ass, propaganda.
Report Post »Armyof One
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 9:50pmUlyssesG, really? This man has led his troops into battle, disregarding his station in society and his own safety. Now, he co-pilots a rescue helo in the crappy stormy North Atlantic, again with little regard to his personal concerns.
But you want to call him prissy?
How is life in your Mom’s basement anyhow?
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 10:31pmI agree .. he is more like his Uncle Andrew .. who flew in the Falklands war. Both William and Harry have served — not just worn the uniform. They would not have had too .. but have shown that they are more than just “playboy” princes and for this they should be commended.
Report Post »L8Apexer
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 11:40pmWhile I do not agree with ULYSSESG’s comments I do need to point out that there are SAR pilots all over the planet who fly missions just as ballsy if not more so as this one, every day, who get little if any recognition, simply because it is their JOB. Which is precisely the case here…it’s his job. Lets’ not make out to be more than it is…Okay? As for leading men in battle, I’d be willing to put some pennies on that. I know Harry went to Afghanistan, and served as a platoon leader with the Gurkhas, but they pulled him back early when the word got out that he was there. If you are going to go to war, the safest place to be would be with the Gurkhas, incredible soldiers, but Harry was a little too high profile to chance a Taliban snatch and grab or assassination attempt. I don’t recall William being in charge of anything or flying in OEF / OIF. Correct me if I’m wrong. I’m no authority on the Royals. Harry was there while I was on my second tour, so it is via personal knowledge otherwise I wouldn’t have known.
Report Post »ares338
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 8:20pmAnd I care why??? He’s not my royalty….we have Obama! (extreme sarcasm intended)
Report Post »ProbIemSoIver
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 8:32pmExactly. Is this some MSM BS ?
Report Post »This is the kind of junk the sheeple care about !!!
He is a global elite punk.
I don’t believe in “royalty”.
All men are created equal !
lukerw
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 8:02pmAtta boy… that’s a Dangerous Job… and I’m surprised that they let him do it!
Report Post »CatB
Posted on November 27, 2011 at 10:34pmI’m glad that they do … with the way that Diana raised the boys until her death and this .. I think it will make him a better King someday. He seems to have a good head on his shoulders.
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