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Robert G. Bradley Leads Search and Rescue Mission

By Ensign Bryan Koehler, USS Robert G Bradley Public Affairs

August 18, 2003, aboard USS ROBERT G. BRADLEY (NNS) - July 17, while on deployment in the eastern Pacific, USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) assumed the role of on-scene commander for a search and rescue mission to locate nine missing crew members of a fishing vessel consumed by fire. As the on-scene commander, Bradley organized the efforts of two U.S. Customs P-3 Orions, a U.S. Coast Guard C-130 and two Costa Rican patrol boats.

After receiving word from Coast Guard District (CGD) 11 of the Costa Rican government request for assistance, Bradley assigned search areas and acted as the communications conduit between the units and CGD 11. The air assets were used to comb 300 square miles to locate debris fields. Five separate debris fields were found and searched. One body, presumed to be a deceased crew member, was found and recovered.

Three of the nine crew members, who had drifted more than 90 miles from where their vessel sank on makeshift rafts made from fishing buoys, were found adrift by the fishing vessel (FV) Costa del Sol approximately 150 miles off the coast of Costa Rica and were in need of immediate medical assistance. They reported to have been adrift for 22 days after their vessel caught fire and sank.

"Being adrift for 22 days was a very traumatic experience for the survivors, and they were glad to receive medical care, food, drink and some rest," said Command Master Chief Gary Schiffert, who is also a hospital corpsman.

Bradley steamed to rendezvous with FV Costa del Sol and upon arrival, it's health care team was transferred to the fishing vessel to evaluate the condition of the survivors. After ascertaining they were fit for transfer, the survivors were transferred to Sick Bay for treatment for severe exposure, sunburn and dehydration. Seaman Diego Ortegalozada acted as an interpreter while Hospital Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Paul Bailey and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) Andrew Chubb provided immediate care. One of the survivors of the sunken fishing boat was the vessel's captain, who provided an account of what happened the night the fishing boat caught on fire.

"The first thing in our mind was to assess the condition of the survivors: whether they were fit for transfer to the ship and to provide immediate treatment for sunburn and dehydration," said Chubb. "One of the survivors was so dehydrated he required an IV to rehydrate him."

After the survivors were stabilized, they were transferred to a Costa Rican Coast Guard Patrol Boat for further medical treatment ashore.

After two days of further search, the fishing vessel Arelis recovered a fourth survivor approximately 80 miles from the primary search area. Robert G. Bradley transited to rendezvous with the Arelis to provide medical assistance to the fourth survivor. Initial reports indicated this survivor was near death. Upon arrival, the ship's medical team determined that in fact he was in fair condition and could be transported. He was then transferred to Bradley for further medical treatment. once aboard, he was treated for dehydration, sunburn, and given food and drink.

"In addition to an IV required for rehydration, he had several open wounds on his legs, which were treated," said Bailey.

This survivor was debriefed and stated that the remaining six members of the crew were on his raft. He stated one by one, the other five became delirious and had died during the 22 days they were adrift. The four survivors stayed alive by trapping rainwater to drink, and eating fish and sea life they were able to catch.

"The survivors were greatful for the help they received," said Bradley Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Michael Strano. "This is an amazing story of survival at sea for 22 days. We were glad that our intervention prevented further loss of life. Our Sailors performed in an outstanding manner during this intense operation that lasted almost three days. I am extremely proud of them."

After searching the debris fields for any further survivors and finding none, USCGD 11 secured the Search and Rescue mission and detached Bradley to resume her counter-drug mission while on a six-month deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command area of responsibility.


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