10 June 2008

USS Russell Assists Vessel in Distress

The following is a reposting of a U.S. Navy news release:

GULF OF ADEN – USS Russell (DDG 59) responded to a vessel in distress between Bossasso, Somalia and the Yemeni coast in the Gulf of Aden June 8.

A Combined Task Force (CTF) 150 air asset notified Russell of the small boat’s distress call. Russell, operating nearby, proceeded at maximum speed and arrived on-scene to assist the vessel.

The 45-foot small boat experienced serious engine problems leaving it unable to operate at sea and had been adrift for two days.

There were approximately 70 personnel on board the vessel, some of whom were in need of immediate medical attention. Seven personnel were transferred to Russell and treated for severe dehydration and malnutrition. The vessel was also re-provisioned for the night and Russell is towing it towards Somalia where the small boat and patients will be turned over to Somali authorities.


080608-N-XXX0-001 GULF OF ADEN (June 8, 2008) Lt.j.g. Doug Marks, a former Navy Hospital Corpsman, offers medical assistance to a Somali patient brought aboard USS Russell (DDG 59) as Ens. Lisa Bydairk and Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Christopher Wallace assist.
Coalition forces have a longstanding tradition of helping mariners in distress by providing medical assistance, engineering assistance as well as search and rescue.

Russell, deployed as part of the USS Abraham Lincoln Strike Group, is operating as part of CTF 150. CTF150 conducts Maritime Security Operations (MSO) between the Gulf of Aden and the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea. MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. MSO complements the counterterrorism and security efforts of regional nations and seek to disrupt violent extremists’ use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

A nice break in the routine for your crew.

BZ

Buck said...

Wow, good job! Getting 7 ill people aboard must not have been an easy evolution. Add to that the tension of being in pirate waters... Wow.

Thanks for all you do!

Jim said...

I think -- especially in that part of the world -- it's also an important part of the hearts and minds thing too.

Jim C

cat said...

Nice job, Russell!
It's great to hear of this sort of thing, although you don't much hear it on the media. :(
Cat

MishMosh said...

Great Job...

mb said...

Great job! Our prayers are with you all.mb

A Stellitano said...

something like this should be on the news. But you wont see it. again God bless your crew Russell.
May all your seas be smooth.

Guy said...

Exceptional job! BZ

bigjake said...

Feels good to do the right thing for another sailor on the seas and in the wilderness. - jim, plankowner