When a group of Navy helicopters and crewmen spotted a mother and her eighteen-month old daughter clinging to debris off the coast of Papua New Guinea, they didn’t hesitate to act.

According to a news report from Radio New Zealand, the mother and child’s boat took on water while refueling and the two drifted at sea for 24 hours.

On June 30, Navy rescue helicopters swooped in to the rescue. Structures on nearby landmasses were too fragile to support the helicopters, so instead of landing the aircraft Navy pilots hovered over the scene and hoisted the child up in a rescue basket.

HM1 Matthew Hawkins was the officer who brought the child safely into the helicopter.

“It is pretty amazing to be able to put my training and hard work to use,” Hawkins told Military.com. “I’m honored when I am able to help, but it’s funny to say that I hope I never have to. These types of rescues are not possible without a highly trained and effective crew chief.”

Both the little girl and her mom are in good health.