US Navy’s guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) rescued three fishermen off the coast of Georgia while taking part in pre-deployment preparations.
On March 27, USS Hue City was notified by the US Coast Guard and guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) that a small craft in their vicinity had issued a distress signal and needed assistance.
Hue City Commanding Officer, Capt. Jake Douglas, and the ship’s crew turned to the last known position of the distressed vessel, fishing vessel Barbara Lynn, and began the search. Approximately 20 minutes later, the cruiser’s lookout spotted the flashing strobe light of the life raft and its three passengers.
The ship recovered survivors using medical litters and a rescue davit.
Two hours after receiving the distress call, all three passengers were aboard Hue City with no significant injuries, the US Navy said.
Following the rescue, the recovered personnel were transferred by an embarked helicopter from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 to Naval Station Mayport, Florida, for further assessment and treatment.
Hue City is underway supporting Carrier Strike Group 4 Task Force Exercise 18-2. The exercise is aimed at preparing the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to deploy later this year.