USS Seattle Rescues Merchant Crew in Arabian Gulf
Navy Newsstand
Story Number: NNS040809-02 Release Date: 8/9/2004 10:15:00 AM
From USS John F. Kennedy Public Affairs
ABOARD USS SEATTLE, Arabian Gulf (NNS) -- USS Seattle (AOE 3) rescued the crew of a sinking ship after responding immediately to a distress call originating from an Indonesia-flagged cargo ship operating in the North Arabian Gulf at approximately 10:30 p.m., Aug. 8.
The master of Edha II signaled for help by marine VHF radio after the ship began taking on water. Seattle closed at best speed and launched an SH-60S Seahawk helicopter to locate the ship.
U.S. Navy Sailors successfully rescued four Edha II crew members by helo off the deck and eight more from a life raft already in the water. The entire crew of 12 made it safely aboard the combat fast support ship, after which the merchant vessel sank.
The international mariners were escorted on board Seattle for medical treatment and will remain aboard pending repatriation.
The cause of the Edha II sinking is unknown.
Seattle, part of the John F. Kennedy Strike Group, left her homeport of Norfolk, Va., June 7 for a deployment to the Arabian Gulf.
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