The article makes it sound as if the helo caught a gust and was blown out of position. It doesn't say what type, but Navy, Marine and USCG pilots hold station over moving vessels in Jayhawks/Blackhawks/Dauphins in all kinds of weather. Apparently the agents missed whatever they were boarding and hit the water, likely killed on impact. I'll assume that they had the appropriate PFDs, cutaway armor and rigs, and maybe even bailout bottles, but a healthy size SWAT cop in full gear is going to make a really hard splash.
You seldom see any stats on injuries during fast-rope training, but I bet it's job security for orthopedic surgeons who can rebuild shattered ankles. The shoes I wear claim to have an arch designed for roping, but I have no intention of testing the claim. I'll take the winch, please, then all I have to worry about is an operator who flips out and goes for the pyrotechnic or electric cable cutter. And no SPIES either, I'm not a grape and don't want to die in a bunch. It's time for alternate transportation if the instructions have to tell you:
WARNING
AVOID TRYING TO REPAIR NONREPAIRABLE DAMAGE, TO INCLUDE ACID CONTAMINATION, CUTS, OR FRAYS ON HARNESS OR SLING WEBBING.
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