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Swift Sailors Rescue 4 Philippine Fisherman

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS061106-14
Release Date: 11/6/2006 2:53:00 PM

From High Speed Vessel 2 Swift Public Affairs

SULU SEA, Philippines (NNS) -- High Speed Vessel (HSV) 2 Swift Sailors rescued four Philippine fishermen Oct. 20, while transiting the Sulu Sea in the Southern Philippines.

The fishermen, who had been adrift in their submerged outrigger canoe for three days without food and water, were spotted by Swift’s embarked helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron, Light (HSL) 37, homeported in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

"As Easyrider 53 flew by, the fishermen signaled they were in distress. The helicopter radioed the location to Swift while orbiting the swamped boat’s position," said Lt. Cmdr. Rob Brodie, Swift executive officer.

According to the fishermen, a wave tore away the bow of their boat on their first day out, causing it to quickly fill with water and drown the engine. Unable to return home, they said they would not have been missed for several days, as their trip was planned for three to four days.

On their third day at sea, "We stepped in to do what any good mariner is obligated to do and performed the rescue," said Lt. Jonathan Cochran, a U.S. 7th Fleet operations officer.

HSV 2 Swift arrived on scene shortly thereafter and launched a 7-meter boat from Mobile Security Squadron 7, based in Guam. The fishermen were safely brought aboard by search and rescue swimmers Mineman 2nd Class Chris Ross from Swift and Mineman Seaman Damien Drolet from USS Avenger (MCM 1).

Once aboard, the fishermen were treated with Swift hospitality, including clean clothes, a hot shower, a stateroom, and hot meals. The next day, before departing for Zamboanga, Philippines, Swift’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Charles Rock, presented the men with command ball caps.

HSV 2 Swift is a high speed catamaran, capable of speeds in excess of 50 miles per hour and capable of transporting heavy equipment.

Swift is currently deployed to the Far East with detachments from U.S. Navy helicopter squadron HSL-37, Mobile Security Squadron 7, and the Second Platoon of the Third U.S. Marine Corps Fast in support of theater security cooperation efforts with the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. While in theater, Swift will promote closer military to military ties, conduct community relations projects, and stay in ports not normally visited by U.S. Navy ships.

HSV 2 Swift is homeported at Naval Station Ingleside, Texas.