Click on pic for past Navair pings.
Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.
Posted on 12/23/2007 5:24:50 PM PST by csvset
Crews of the carrier Truman and the fast combat support ship Arctic rescued and cared for seven mariners today who had been adrift for two days in a raft after their small boat broke apart in rough seas in the central Arabian Gulf.
The incident occurred while the Norfolk-based Truman was conducting a “replenishment-at-sea,” receiving supplies from the Earle, N.J.-based Artic, said 2nd class Petty Officer Bobby Northnagle, a Navy spokesman aboard the Truman.
“Arctic received a bridge-to-bridge radio call from the British-flagged cargo vessel MV British Courage requesting assistance rescuing the stranded mariners, who were floating approximately three miles ahead of Truman,” Northnagle said.
The two vessels were linked at the time so supplies could be moved from the Artic to the carrier. Before anything could be done to assist the mariners, the naval vessels performed an “emergency break away,” which is a rapid process of halting any pumping and securing any hoses between vessels and securing that gear.
The Arctic, operated by the Navy's Military Sealift Command, then sent aloft two MH-60S helicopters to head to the scene where a rescue swimmer was dropped to the water to recover the four Pakistanis and three Indian mariners. Once taken up to the helicopter, they were flown to the Truman for medical treatment and were given food and water.
“All are in good condition and awaiting transfer back to the United Arab Emirates,” Northnagle said.
He said the small vessel, a dhow, was carrying cargo from Dubai when it encountered rough seas and its keel broke. “When the vessel started taking on too much water to remain afloat, the mariners abandoned ship into a life raft where they remained for two days before the rescue,” Northnagle said.
The Truman and the Arctic are in the Arabian Gulf as part of an ongoing rotation to support maritime security operations in the region intended to ensure security and safety for commercial shipping in international waters in the region.
Some additional info via the Navy's website:
Harry S. Truman, attached to Commander, Carrier Strike Group 10 (CCSG 10), and Arctic are currently deployed to the Persian Gulf as part of the ongoing rotation to support Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the region.
The Truman Carrier Strike Group is made up of CCSG 10 staff, Truman, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 26 staff, guided missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Hue City (CG 66); guided missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG 64), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81); the Canadian frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFG 339); and the British destroyer HMS Manchester (D 95).
CVW-3 consists of Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 11, VFA-32, VFA-37 and VFA-105; Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron 130; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 126; and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 7.
That must have been a welcomed but so awesome of a sight when the fisherman saw them coming.
Click on pic for past Navair pings.
Post or FReepmail me if you wish to be enlisted in or discharged from the Navair Pinglist.
This is a medium to low volume pinglist.
Hoo Rah Navy!
/disgusting sarcasm
Score another point for “the good guys!”
We came up on one of these coastal dhows sinking just outside of Bahrain territorial waters once. We sent a damage control team over to help but it was too late. The guys on the whale boat watching said the most amazing part of the sinking was the huge quantities of vermin coming up from the hold as it filled with water. Rats, mice, spiders, scorpions and other insects all scrambling up the mast to stay out of the water.
The Arctic was originally built with light self-defense capability, but the defensive weapons have apparently been stripped from the ship.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.