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USS Gary Rescues Eight

By Lt. Amy Morrison, USS Constellation Public Affairs

March 14, 2003, CENTRAL COMMAND (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy guided missile frigate, USS Gary (FFG 51), responded to a distress call from the motor vessel Kaptain Muhamadat about 5:30 p.m. local time yesterday (March 13), while conducting routine operations here.

The Kaptain Muhamad was taking on water in estimated six-foot seas, while the dhow was underway some 20 miles south of the Iranian coast in international waters. Once they arrived on scene, the Gary's crew launched their rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) and safely rescued all eight fishermen who had abandoned their sinking vessel.

Gary received the troubled vessel's distress call on bridge-to-bridge radio and was approximately 20 miles away from the sinking vessel. Gary's crew immediately launched and dispatched an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter to investigate as the ship sped to the scene. Reacting quickly, the Gary put her small boat team, including a rescue swimmer, in her RHIB and lowered it into the water to render assistance. Five members of the 30-meter dhow escaped in the 20 minutes before it filled completely with water, while three members jumped into the choppy waters as the capsized vessel disappeared completely.

"The rescue occurred quickly. Less than 20 minutes passed from when Gary put her RHIB in the water until the vessel had capsized completely," said Lt. Bruce Stanley, who was the staff tactical action officer for Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7 staff embarked aboard USS Constellation (CV 64), who was monitoring the rescue efforts.

All eight rescued were carrying Iraqi fishing cards and licenses, appeared uninjured, and received dry clothing, food and medical assistance from the crew aboard Gary.

Capt. Mark Balmert, Commander Destroyer Group 7, embarked aboard Constellation, commented, "At sea, we are all mariners. It is the duty of a mariner to answer distress calls."


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