Mayday! Mayday!

I was cruising the Ohio River with some friends one sunny afternoon when something amazing happened. We saw an airplane coming down, heading right for the river. This plane had no pontoons on it, and the landing gear was retracted. I assumed he was in trouble and was ditching it in the water for a softer landing. We immediately prepared to help in any way we could. Lower and lower he flew until he hit the water in an enormous splash. We started our approach to see how we could help. The canopy of the plane popped open and four people got out and… went swimming!
The plane was designed to do this. I had never even heard of such a craft. I asked the pilot if that was intentional. He said yes, he does it all the time. I told him I thought he was in trouble. He pointed at on of the girls and said he might be. Then they all climbed back in and ran with us down the river a while, me in my boat and him in his airplane. Cruising the river.
He then throttled up, gained speed and lifted off. Flying away, they waved at us and us at them. I looked at my crew and said, “I think we all could use a beer”. It was unanimous.