Edt-Hercules Vessel Reviews and Specifications

The 'EDT Hercules' has set sail from Soudas Bay, Greece, embarking on a crucial mission to recover wreckage from a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter that tragically went down on April 29. This operation is supported by a specialized recovery team with personnel from both Canadian and American military forces. According to a May 25, 2020 statement from the Department of National Defence, the vessel's journey to the crash site, located approximately 22 nautical miles east of Catania, is expected to take around two days. Upon arrival, the search efforts are set to commence within 24 hours. The helicopter, known by its call sign Stalker-22, was returning from a routine surveillance training session when it descended into the ocean, visible from the HMCS 'Fredericton,' the frigate conducting the operation. The unfortunate incident resulted in the death of six military personnel: four crew members and two sailors. Notably, Sub-Lt. Abbigail Cowbrough's body was promptly recovered alongside partial remains of Capt. Brenden Ian MacDonald. The other four crew members—Capt. Kevin Hagen, Capt. Maxime Miron-Morin, Sub-Lt. Matthew Pyke, and Master Cpl. Matthew Cousins—remain missing and are presumed dead. The challenging task of retrieving the wreckage from depths of approximately 3,000 meters is made possible with the aid of an American remotely operated vehicle (ROV), equipped for deep-sea exploration. Defense officials are cautious in providing a recovery timeline, as success hinges on varying weather and sea conditions in the operational area. Although the crew aboard the 'Fredericton' managed to pinpoint the crash location, officials emphasized that underwater currents and seabed shifts may have altered its exact position since the incident. Notably, the CH-148 Cyclone was equipped with an underwater crash beacon, designed to function for 30 days after activation. This beacon can only be detected by searching vessels nearby the wreckage site. Since the accident, operations of the Cyclone maritime helicopter fleet have been effectively halted. An investigative team consisting of seven members from the air force's Directorate of Flight Safety, which reached Italy on May 2, is tasked with compiling a preliminary report within a 30-day window detailing the accident's focus and potential implications for the helicopter's future service status. Preparations are underway to deploy a replacement helicopter to the HMCS 'Fredericton' once conditions are deemed safe for operations.