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VP-4 'Skinny Dragons' Rescue Two Stranded Mariners at Sea

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080324-19
Release Date: 3/24/2008 3:31:00 PM

From Patrol Squadron 4 Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The crew of a U.S. Navy P-3C Orion patrol aircraft conducted a rescue and recovery mission to help two men who were stranded at sea in their small motorboat after encountering mechanical problems approximately 200 miles southwest of Costa Rica, March 16.

Combat Aircrew 6 of Patrol Squadron (VP) 4 was conducting routine flight operations when they spotted the distressed mariners and rendered assistance.

The "Skinny Dragons" of VP-4 were investigating a small radar contact, unusual that far from land, when they realized it was the small motorboat. The two mariners heard the aircraft nearby and began waving wildly for help. Using the on board camera of the P-3C, they quickly discovered that the boat's motor was unusable, and that the mariners needed rescuing.

After locating and contacting the merchant vessel Tauranga Star transiting through the area, the "Skinny Dragons" vectored the ship towards the troubled boat. The aircraft stayed at the scene until the merchant vessel, which was 25 miles away, arrived and took the two stranded men on board. Both mariners were subsequently taken to a Panamanian hospital and later released.

"It isn't often that you can say that you took part in something like this," said Patrol Plane Commander, Lt. Ethan Biter. "The fact that we lent a hand in such a rewarding event is incredible."

VP-4, based at Marine Corps Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, is currently deployed to Forward Operating Location Comalapa, El Salvador in support of U.S. Southern Command operations.

FOL Comalapa's primary mission is to provide logistical support to aerial counter-drug aircraft and their crews from U.S. military and government law enforcement organizations and to promote Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) in the El Salvador area. TSC includes military-to-military interaction and bilateral training opportunities.

For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.