Coastguard exercise

I took a trip out to Wirral Country Park to try to photograph the wading birds that feed on the mud flats.  Unfortunately there weren't many around and those that were, were much too far away.

There was some excitement though .... it looked like the Coastguard were conducting exercises .... at least I hope they were exercises, otherwise some poor sailor in distress was being hoisted up and down by the rescue helicopter like a yo-yo!!

Extra:
I tried to get a closer shot of the action but it was very hazy and they were a long way out so the photo in extras is not very clear but it gives you some idea of what was happening.