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Tortuga Continues Rescue Operations in New Orleans

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050909-07
Release Date: 9/9/2005 12:32:00 PM

By Journalist Third Class Brian P. Seymour, USS Tortuga Public Affairs

NEW ORLEANS (NNS) -- The amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) continues to operate on the Mississippi River conducting search and rescue (SAR) missions ashore and providing humanitarian assistance to survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

The ship is moored at Naval Support Activity (NSA) New Orleans, where operations are being coordinated with the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Army to aid, evacuate and relocate disaster victims.

“We’re working with joint forces to rescue, aid and evacuate stranded victims in flooded areas,” said Tortuga Commanding Officer Cmdr. Mark H. Scovill. “I’m confident that with the timely efforts of my rescue team, and the survivors’ willingness to accept the invitation to come aboard Tortuga, the amount of lives saved in this joint effort will grow more and more each day.”

Tortuga continues to serve as a stepping-stone between survivors’ flooded homes and land-based evacuation centers. More than 150 victims have been assisted on board, where hot meals, medical aid and comfortable sleeping arrangements have been provided for those in need of assistance.

“Over the past three days we've seen around 130 evacuees and civilians,” said Tortuga’s medical officer, Lt. Patrick Baroco. “The biggest concern for us has been wound infections from being in the polluted waters. It's been a challenge, but there are sick people who need doctors, and I'm proud to help fill that role.”

The evacuees’ are rescued by combat rubber raiding craft (CRRC) teams, comprised of Tortuga Sailors under special assignment. The teams have scoured the flooded streets of New Orleans for survivors since Tortuga arrived on station Sept. 4, bringing dozens of evacuees on board each day.

Some survivors have not made any contact with friends or relatives for more than a week. As promised by Tortuga’s SAR teams before convincing the survivors to come aboard the ship, the evacuees on board were given the ability to make phone calls to assure loved ones that they are safe and in good hands on board Tortuga.

Tortuga’s relief efforts extend far beyond the waterways of New Orleans. A group of Tortuga’s hull technicians, for instance, constructed a kennel near the NAS New Orleans pier for dozens of rescued dogs, cats and pet birds.

The crew is consistently supplying ample amounts of food, water and protection from the sun to the rescued pets until further assistance can be arranged.