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Princeton Delivers Humanitarian Aid to Stranded Dhow

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050808-16
Release Date: 8/8/2005 3:21:00 PM

By Lt. Michael Panado, USS Princeton Public Affairs

USS PRINCETON, Persian Gulf (NNS) -- Sailors from the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) provided humanitarian aid to an Iranian fishing dhow in distress July 21.

Early that morning, Princeton was contacted by radio by the dhow, which was dead in the water. Princeton responded and discovered that the dhow, named Hamid, was in need of engineering assistance.

A rescue and assistance team was dispatched and determined that the engine would not start due to corroded batteries that were low on power. The batteries were removed and brought back to Princeton for maintenance, cleaning and recharging. While the maintenance was being performed, Chief Hospital Corpsman (SW/AW/FMF) Reynaldo Guadez examined the crew, as they remained stranded miles from land without potable water.

Princeton Sailors were able to successfully restore the power onboard Hamid, start the engines and provide minor medical assistance and fresh water.

"It was a good experience working on other than American gear," said Electrician's Mate Second Class (SW) Nathaniel Wright from Albany, Ga. "I enjoyed assisting the Iranian fishermen, and those guys looked like they really appreciated the help. It was a good experience."

Princeton is currently deployed to the Persian Gulf as the Air Defense Commander for the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Strike Group, and is joined with coalition maritime forces that operate throughout international waters in the Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, conducting maritime security operations (MSO).

MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment, as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, homeported in San Diego, deployed May 7.