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USS Decatur Assists Mariners in Distress Off Somalia

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060501-09
Release Date: 5/1/2006 10:01:00 PM

From USS Decatur Public Affairs

ABOARD USS DECATUR, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Decatur (DDG 73), operating as part of the Pakistani–led Combined Task Force 150, came to the aid of a distressed vessel off the coast of Somalia April 28 and rescued seven Somali fishermen who had run out of food and supplies.

The fishermen reported that they had been underway for three days when their engine failed. Although they attempted to rig a makeshift sail out of a tarp, the strong current overpowered their efforts and pushed them further out to sea.

On their twelfth day adrift, the fishermen were spotted by an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). The helicopter requested that a nearby dhow assist the mariners in the skiff. Decatur, upon hearing the bridge-to-bridge radio conversation between the helicopter and the dhow, proceeded toward the two vessels to render assistance.

After sending two rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIB) over to the impaired vessel, Decatur's engineers determined that the engine was beyond repair. While there, they also learned that the vessel's crew had by then been underway for 15 days and had exhausted their supplies of food and water. In fact, drifting in the open ocean, the crew had resorted to drinking seawater for two days.

“When we learned of the condition of the mariners and saw the state of their engine, it became immediately apparent that we were fortunately situated to provide desperately-needed assistance,” said Decatur's Commanding Officer, Cmdr. John Steinberger. The fishermen were offered water and fruit and were transported by RHIBs to Decatur.

Decatur's crew provided the fishermen with shower and restroom facilities and fresh clothes. The supply department provided them with meals and drinks, the ship's hospital corpsmen assessed their medical condition and provided minor treatment, and the operations department prepared berthing and relaxation areas.

Decatur then rigged a towline to the skiff and proceeded toward land.

When Decatur found the skiff, it was 83 nautical miles off the Somali coast. Decatur hoped to find a vessel close in international waters willing to assist the crew in to shore.

Early the next morning, with the skiff still in tow, the lookouts spotted a fishing vessel on the horizon. Decatur contacted the vessel with a translator. The fishing boat's crew agreed to take the skiff and its crew into port.

“You can't help but feel grateful to have the privilege to assist others in this way,” said Steinberger. “It warms your heart.”

Decatur left its San Diego homeport Jan. 4 as part of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group. The destroyer is conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the waters off the coast of the Horn of Africa.

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. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime regime as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.