The highlight of the after race party following the annual Vineyard Cup regatta was a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter water rescue demonstration. Hundreds of sailors and onlookers watched as a Coast Guard swimmer jumped from the helicopter into the harbor near the Packer wharves to rescue a training mannequin in mock distress.

Sail MV executive director Brock Callen had to secure permission from a host of town and federal agencies to conduct the demonstration.