Helicopter Rescue

Another grey day at sea.  Sadly, one of the passengers had a medical emergency early this afternoon, necessitating a helicopter rescue.  The two top decks of the ship were closed as the helicopter made its approach, picked up the patient, and departed.  No one was allowed on the decks (for obvious reasons!), but I managed to find a spot inside, with a pretty good ringside seat view through the atrium window at the top of the elevator shaft.  That pilot was a pro!  The chopper was being buffeted around quite a bit by strong wind gusts, but he managed to lower two crew down to the deck with a basket, and then flew away until he received the signal that they were ready to hoist the patient up.  Here you can see the patient almost up to the level of the helicopter deck, with one very brave paramedic balanced on the side rail.  I hope the poor man recovers quickly, and that whoever he is traveling with will be able to rejoin him tomorrow when we arrive at the next port.