A Cyprus policeman ropes down from a hovering helicopter to the sea surface during a joint Cyprus-US search and rescue exercise off the east Mediterranean island's southern coast, Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. The exercise involved a simulated maritime accident requiring the rescue of injured persons. This is the second such joint Cyprus-US rescue exercise this year. Cyprus eastern-most tip is less than 100 miles from Syria's coast and Cypriot authorities aim to turn the island into a search and rescue hub on Europe's southeastern edge. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias) , APTOPIX