Excerpts from today's Norfolk, VA Virginian Pilot Newspaper:

"The Navy received a distress call from the Miss Melissa about 2:30 p.m. Friday. The ship reported taking on heavy water in rough seas about 50 miles east of Oregon Inlet, Lee said.

The San Antonio was conducting its exercises nearby, Lee said. A V-22 Osprey flew from the deck of the warship to the ailing vessel and confirmed its location.

The San Antonio steamed toward the watermen. Lee ordered a rescue team into a rigid-hull inflatable boat to approach the vessel.

Petty Officer 1st Class Rickey Brown drove the small rescue boat through 12-foot swells and 45 mph gusts to the Miss Melissa. The six-year veteran had practiced rescue missions many times but never in such difficult conditions, he said."

I would say that to get airborne in that kind of weather is quite an accomplishment. The full story can be found at http://www.hamptonroads.com/pilotonline/