Mike Corey (Host)

That was close.

In his headset, he hears flight mechanic Fred Kalt calmly giving directions to pilot Steve Torpey.

Torpy responds by maneuvering the helicopter in short, quick bursts, darting this way and that, while Lefevre does his best to maintain their altitude at about 100 feet above water.

They're trying to stay directly over the survivors, to maximize Colt's chances of landing the rescue basket near them.

They've been at it for over an hour now, but Lefevre feels good about how things are going.

Torpy is flying with incredible skill.

Splitting the controls really seems to be helping.

And Kalt's drops have been getting even closer to the men in the water.

From the back of the helicopter, Lefevre hears rescue swimmer Mike Fish over comms.

Lefevre considers this.

It's true that a rescue swimmer might increase their odds of reaching the survivors.

Then again, in a sea state this chaotic, there's also a chance they'll never get him back.

No, Mike.

It's too risky.

Plus, I need you backing me up on the altimeter.

Give us a warning if we go below 80 feet.

Roger that.

Fred Kalt issues a few more directional commands, then grunts with effort as, yet again, he hurls the basket out into the storm.

Lefevre watches his instruments, trying to hold the helicopter level with the ocean surface, and prays that with this drop, they'll finally get lucky.

Bob Doyle can't believe his eyes.