San Antonio Saves Sinking Fishing Vessel
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS061203-10
Release Date: 12/3/2006 6:35:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Erik Hoffmann, USS San Antonio Public Affairs
ABOARD USS SAN ANTONIO (NNS) -- Crew members of USS San Antonio made a daring rescue Dec. 1 in the Atlantic Ocean.
With stormy seas and winds upward around 40 nautical miles per hour, fishing vessel “Miss Melissa” was taking on water fast at around 2:30 p.m. when San Antonio sprung into action.
San Antonio’s commanding officer, Cmdr. Brad Lee, reacted quickly with a rescue effort.
“Initially, I was going to send over our rescue and assistance crew. We decided to send over our RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat) instead. Saving people was our primary goal,” stated Lee.
The RHIB crew then returned to Miss Melissa to dewater the craft.
“I sent my one of my best boat officers and one of my best coxswains and an incredible boat crew,” Lee continued. “We’d done this before, but not in this kind of weather. I had full confidence in their ability.”
The four crew members of “Miss Melissa” were brought aboard San Antonio and were provided with medical care, food, clothing, and a place to rest and phone calls home.
“They’re in great shape,” Lee explained. “It’s good to help out civilians when ever we can.”
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