Incredible footage shows moment Royal Marines leap off helicopters into chilly Bristol Channel

Incredible video footage shows the moment Royal Marines leapt ten feet from Chinook helicopters into the Bristol Channel during training.

The Marines from Taunton-based 40 Commando, testing some of their most daring Commando skills, were picked up by Royal Air Force helicopters on the dunes of Braunton Burrows to practice what is known as ‘helicasting’.

It’s a technique which gets Commandos into the action quickly, dropping them from the back of helicopters into the ocean - from where they use their Zodiac raiding craft to strike at the enemy ashore.

The training took place alongside 47 Commando - the Royal Marines’ small boat raiding specialists - to keep Marines sharp for operations around the world.

Helicasting takes immense skill and team-work - from those dropping into the raging surf, to the small boat teams and, of course, the pilots who hover their aircraft just above the waves to allow the Commandos to deploy.

Maj Will Searight, Commanding Officer of 40 Commando’s Charlie Company, said: “Helicasting is a means of putting Commando Forces ashore along contested coastlines.

“The technique involves jumping from an aircraft in the hover and then either swimming ashore or linking up with a raiding craft and being put ashore as covertly as possible.

“It’s a technique best suited to small teams with a reconnaissance role, and one that both Commandos and aircrew are looking to rediscover and further develop.”