Documentation of dramatic rescue at sea

(Video) IDF releases footage of crew members of freighter which sunk off Haifa coast being rescued by Air Force. Five sailors still missing

Hanan Greenberg|Last update: 12.14.09 , 00:47

VIDEO - The Israel Defense Forces on Sunday released video footage of the dramatic ocean rescue of crew members of SALLA-2, a freighter which sunk off the Haifa coast Saturday.

The SALLA-2, en route from Greece to the Haifa Port, went down about 50 miles off Israel's shores. The rescue mission was headed by the Air Force Extraction Unit – Unit-669.

Video: IDF Spokesperson's Office

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A senior Air Force officer who took part in the rescue operation told Ynet that "it was a very complex mission. We had to deal with various challenges, such as sea and wind conditions, as well as visibility and weather issues.

"It became a race against the clock to try and locate survivors before nightfall."

The footage, taken by a sea patrol Eurocopter AS-565 Panther helicopter, also known as a "Bat," captured images of the Air force's CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter as it located one of the survivors and pulled him out of the water.

The footage also includes some the radio communication between the pilots:

"-Ringo, we're placing a C5… south of where he's standing.

- I see him. I see him. I can see the flare.

- I'm flying over him now

- Watch for my white light… that's the spot

- Can you see him on your left?

- I can see him

- There's only one. We have to find another one

- Just keep looking for other survivors."

According to the officer, the first report of survivors came from a Cypriote chopper, "and once we had the first report, we launched helicopters to the area and were able to locate one survivor just before dark.

"Several hours later were found four other survivors, who were pulled out of the water the same way."

The IAF officer noted that despite the rescue's complexities, the navy and air force were able to work well together. He also commended the cooperation with the foreign rescue forces who took part in the mission.

The five sailors who were rescued were taken to the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa. All five were released Sunday.

The chances to locate additional survivors are decreasing. The body of one of sailors was pulled out of the sea on Sunday evening, but five crewmembers are still missing.