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USS Halyburton Crew Helps Rescue Five Civilian Sailors at Sea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS071026-22
Release Date: 10/26/2007 4:46:00 PM

From USS Halyburton Public Affairs

USS HALYBURTON, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Halyburton (FFG 40) helped rescue five mariners at sea Oct. 25 in the Eastern Pacific Ocean while underway for its current Counter Narcoterrorism (CNT) deployment.

The ship was informed of a distress signal by U.S. Coast Guard District 11, in Alameda, Calif., late in the afternoon, as were other units in the area including two patrol aircraft and a tuna boat, the Temcartoe. Halyburton immediately began to make best speed and arrived on scene within hours to provide assistance.

"The crew responded immediately to the possibility of helping someone stranded at sea," said Halyburton Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Scott Pratt. "I was impressed by the immediate change in focus of the crew as they shifted from surveillance of potential drug smugglers in our CNT mission, to helping fellow mariners in danger."

Rescued were five U.S. citizens who had been at sea on a pleasure cruise on board the yacht Dorothea in the eastern Pacific Ocean for two days of scuba diving.

Dorothea was consumed by flames after a fire broke out in the exhaust stack and quickly spread throughout the yacht. Realizing the immediate danger they were in, they were able to escape on a life raft and released two of their emergency locator beacons, which provided the U.S. Coast Guard with their situation and location.

Joint Interagency Task Force South which oversees CNT missions, Halyburton and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) in the area were informed of the situation and sent to provide support. The life boat, with all five crew members, was located about three hours after they had abandoned ship.

The MPA spotted the Temcartoe within 20 miles of the life boat and coordinated with them to make the initial rescue. Halyburton continued to press north closing the location at maximum speed and arrived on scene just after sunset. Launching their rescue boat, it proceeded over to Temcartoe to retrieve the stranded crew members and transfer them back to Halyburton.

Once all five were safely on board the ship, the Halyburton crew provided the rescued sailors with a hot shower, a meal, water, and a medical check-up, which revealed only minor injuries. The ship will transport the rescued sailors to safety in the next few days.

"We are grateful to everyone who helped us escape relatively unharmed," said Master of the Dorothea John Crupi. "Words cannot express how happy I am that the Navy was there."

Dorothea crew member Chris Martindale stated "I was overjoyed that the Navy was nearby and could render assistance so quickly. We were surprised at such a quick response. We had no idea how long we would be in the lifeboat."

"I am glad that I was able to help American citizens in a time of need," said Operations Specialist 2nd Class (Surface Warfare) Austin Bousquet, one of Halyburton's search and rescue swimmers. "It really makes all of our hard work and training worth it to help out when needed."

Lt. j.g. Chad Morin, who manned the rescue boat, was also elated that he could be of assistance in any way possible. "This is why we are out here," he said.

Halyburton is operating in Eastern Pacific Ocean, assigned to U.S. Southern Command and supporting JIATF South efforts to stem the flow of illegal drugs in the region.