USS Underwood Assists Stranded Colombian Fishermen
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090305-07
Release Date: 3/5/2009 4:18:00 PM
From USS Underwood Public Affairs
USS UNDERWOOD, At Sea (NNS) -- The guided-missile frigate USS Underwood (FFG 36) provided assistance to five Colombian fishermen who were stranded in the eastern Pacific Ocean Feb. 27.
The chance encounter occurred when Underwood's lookouts spotted personnel aboard the fishing vessel waving a flag in distress.
The Colombian fishing vessel Jireh had reportedly been adrift for four days and requested assistance. Once alongside, Underwood's rescue and assistance team embarked the fishing vessel and immediately began troubleshooting the boat's engine problems. The rescue team members Engineman 1st Class (SW) Bruce Miller and Engineman 1st Class (SW) Antonio Thompson quickly determined the equipment was beyond repair.
"The captain of the Jireh was incredibly grateful for our assistance, and it was a pleasure to help those in need," said Thompson.
After supplying the survivors with food and water, Underwood remained with the Jireh until the Colombian Navy vessel ARC Andagoya arrived nine hours later to relieve Underwood.
Underwood, homeported in Mayport, Fla., is deployed in Latin America under the operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet, conducting counter-illicit trafficking operations in support of Joint Interagency Task Force-South, U.S. law enforcement and participating nations drug control policy.
Underwood is also supporting the U.S. maritime strategy by conducting theater security cooperation events, such as community relations projects including Project Handclasp distributions to countries in need throughout Latin America.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
