On March 12, 2018, a drift collection vessel from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) participated in an operation to recover a downed helicopter that crashed into the East River on Sunday, March 11, 2018. The vessel known as the DRIFTMASTER used its crane to remove the helicopter from the East River, where it was secured to the East 23rd Street seaplane pier following the crash. Ricard P. Thorsen, chief, physical support branch, Caven Point Marine Terminal, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District, discusses the mission and the importance of agency partnerships with the New York City Police Department Harbor Unit, New York City Fire Department Marine Bureau, and the U.S. Coast Guard Sector, N.Y.
