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Naval Base San Diego Assists Mariner in Distress

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080718-05
Release Date: 7/18/2008 3:40:00 PM

By Walter T. Ham IV, Naval Base San Diego Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- Naval Base San Diego (NBSD) assisted a civilian mariner July 17 when his 30-foot cabin cruiser caught fire south of the Coronado Bridge in the San Diego Bay.

Working together with the San Diego Harbor Police who rescued the lone mariner but had difficulties containing the fire, the base allowed the engulfed vessel to be towed to Pier 2 and the Department of the Navy's firefighters helped extinguish the fire.

"It was a great team effort by everyone involved," said NBSD Command Duty Officer Senior Chief Engineman (SW) Thomas E. Shider, who first took the dispatch call.

After the fire was extinguished, the vessel was dewatered and inspected to ensure it was seaworthy before being towed away from the base. No fuel or hazardous material was discharged during dewatering, but an oil boom was placed around the vessel as a precaution.

"This is a great example of how we come together in San Diego to help each other," said NBSD Commanding Officer Rear Adm. (Sel.) Dixon Smith. "While our main mission is to support the fleet, the fighter and the family, we are always ready to assist a mariner in distress. Saving lives and property is part of our Navy ethos – at sea or ashore."

Supporting 53 ships, more than 120 tenant commands and more than 35,000 Sailors, Soldiers, Department of Defense civilian employees and contracts, NBSD is home to the majority of the Pacific Fleet's surface combatants, all of the Navy's west coast amphibious ships and a variety of Coast Guard and Military Sealift Command vessels.

For more news from Naval Base San Diego, visit www.navy.mil/local/NBSD/.