This was one of three TV series partly influenced by the success of the theatrical movie "Blue Thunder (1983)." Like "Airwolf (1984)" on CBS and "Blue Thunder (1984)" on ABC, "Riptide" initially featured prominent use of a helicopter; although whereas those other two instances portrayed super-slick hi-tech choppers, the "Riptide" helicopter ('The Screaming Mimi') was clunky and old, and had trouble just staying in the sky. Prominant featuring of the helicopter was somewhat dropped later in favor of more standard private-eye car chases and such.
This series, about three Vietnam veterans, aired immediately after "The A-Team (1983)," a show about four Vietnam veterans. Both were created by Stephen J. Cannell, and the pilot of this series featured two actors who played recurring characters on The A-Team (Marla Heasley and Jack Ging).
Jack Ging, who plays the tough-as-nails Lt. Quinlan, also played the equally mean and menacing general "bull" Fullbright on "The A-Team," another Stephen J. Canell show.
Despite suffering from chronic seasickness, Joe Penny filmed every scene that required him to be on a boat.