Ice-bound in Alaskan Wates by Florence Lonsford

HH-3F "Pelican" helicopters, like the one in the picture, were in service from 1968 to 1994. The Pelican is patrolling in Alaskan waters as a fishing vessel may be in possible need of assistance. These helicopters were capable of landing on the water. Water landing rescues were not always possible, of course, so the Coast Guard developed the Rescue Swimmer program in the early 1980s. This new capability obviated the need for water landings, and the Pelican was subsequently replaced by the non-amphibious HH-60 Jayhawk.