The guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) and an embarked detachment rendered aid to a distressed fishing vessel in the Red Sea, Sept. 8.
Farragut Sailors and an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter crew assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46 noticed the disabled boat.
Farragut’s visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team approached the vessel and found three fishermen inside.
Lt. j.g. Joshua Bowling, Farragut’s navigator and VBSS boarding officer, said:
We found a small boat that appeared to be dead in the water, and as we approached them it became apparent these men were extremely dehydrated and hungry.
We learned they had been stranded for three days, and quickly realized how critical it was for us to provide them with nourishment and a way in which to return home.
The team provided food and water and determined what was wrong with their vessel. After discovering the extent of the damage to the motor, the team arranged to have the boat brought onboard Farragut in order to make repairs to the motor.
The next morning, VBSS team members brought the fishermen and their boat aboard Farragut. Each fisherman received a medical assessment from the ship’s independent duty corpsman, a change of clothes and breakfast.
After determining the outboard motor was fully operational and supplying the fishermen with food, water and fuel to continue their transit, Farragut Sailors lowered the boat back in the water and bid the men safe travels back to their home.
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Image: US Navy