"Alice-Solomon" crew members call for help

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) - The boat "Alice Solomon", now docked at the Eastern Shore Marina, played a big role in responding to the Coast Guard helicopter accident Tuesday night.

FOX10 News spoke with a former member of that crew just hours after the accident happened. He also provided us with video of the boat in action.

"What they provide is a 41-foot utility boat that is docked in Fly Creek, and they go out twice a day, day and night. And, what they do is meet up with the Coast Guard and they do any kind of survival training that needs to be done," said Philip Collins.

Collins retired from the "Alice Solomon" about a year ago and has done countless training operations.

"They have to stay within a two mile radius of the helicopters that are working, just for this reason, just in case something goes wrong," Collins said.

The crew that worked last night was not at the marina Wednesday. FOX1010 News also tried to contact C-Port, the company based out of Seattle, Washington, which owns the "Alice Solomon". We did not get a response.

Collins said it's a dark day for everyone involved.