USS McCampbell rescues five stranded fisherman in South China Sea

SOUTH CHINA SEA, USAFRICOM, AT SEA

10.24.2012

Courtesy Story

Naval Air Facility Atsugi

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman (SW) Declan Barnes NPASE Japan

SOUTH CHINA SEA - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McCampbell (DDG 85) rescued five stranded fisherman off the coast of the Republic of the Philippines early morning Oct. 24.

The men were discovered during routine night-time flight operations at approximately midnight by helicopter pilots from the HSL 51 Warlords Helicopter Squadron embarked on McCampbell. Their fishing vessel had started taking on water early morning Oct. 23, and the entire boat was sunk by the time of discovery. The pilots spotted the five men flashing a lighter while standing on the wood left from the roof of their boat.

The pilots notified the respective nearby operating ships from the USS George Washington Carrier Strike Group, and a rescue effort was immediately put in place. The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 75) and McCampbell immediately transited to the location of the stranded men.

The men were quickly recovered by Sailors from McCampbell and taken on board approximately one hour after discovery. There were no casualties and the men suffered only mild cuts and bruises. The Sailors onboard quickly supplied the men with food and blankets as they were processed for identification.

The men have been treated by McCampbell’s medical team and are now currently waiting for transportation back to the Republic of the Philippines.

McCampbell is part of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, the U.S. Navy’s only continuously forward-deployed carrier strike group, based out of Yokosuka, Japan, and is currently conducting a routine western Pacific patrol in support of regional security and stability of the vital Asia-Pacific region.

• Date Taken: 10.24.2012
• Date Posted: 07.07.2013 21:31
• Story ID: 109816
• Location: SOUTH CHINA SEA, USAFRICOM, AT SEA