Somali Mariners Rescued During Counter-Piracy Mission

Courtesy Photo | USS McFaul, an Arleigh Burke class Destroyer on a 7-month deployment in the Gulf of Aden, conducts a rescue operation for 29 Somali men and women on a drifting skiff during a routine patrol. The stranded Somalis, whose skiff engine malfunctioned one day after setting sail, had been drifting with no food and little water for four days since departing the Somali coast. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cory Phelps)  

MANAMA, BAHRAIN

03.29.2010

Courtesy Story

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet           

By Ensign Colleen M. Flynn

MANAMA, Bahrain - USS McFaul, an Arleigh Burke class destroyer on a seven-month deployment in the Gulf of Aden, was conducting a routine patrol in support of Maritime Security Operations to combat piracy, when a small skiff was sighted approximately 100 miles north of Somalia, March 25.

The 30 men, women and children onboard had been stranded with no food and very little water for nearly four days since departing the Somali coast.

The skiff had suffered engine failures in both outboard motors and the safety of the people onboard and caring for their basic needs rapidly became the priorities of USS McFaul.

"Once we recognized there was no threat, noticeable engine failure and lack of food and water, it was evident they desperately needed our help," said Lt. jg. Lamping, Visit Board Search and Seizure team boarding officer. Assisting the boarding team was McFaul's embarked translator, who facilitated communication between the Somali mariners and the VBSS team.

To ensure they were safe, McFaul immediately took the Somali mariners onboard and prepared to return them to their homeland. McFaul offered them a place to sleep, blankets, water and food, in order to make them feel as comfortable as possible for the two and a half days journey back to Somalia.

One of the elders in the group, Abdulrahman Ali Barhaaye, said: "We gave up hope until we saw you. We are alive, hopeful, and glad to be here."

Helping the Somali mariners was a ship-wide event, whether repairing their engines; supplying food, water, shelter, life jackets, and blankets, or serving them three warm meals each day, the McFaul crew were all able to help.

"This was a rewarding experience," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Wright, one of the VBSS team members. "They appreciated our efforts and were very thankful."

On the morning of March 27, McFaul returned the 30 Somalian mariners safely ashore, with their repaired skiff at the small fishing village of Ceelaaya on the northern coast of Somalia.

McFaul is assigned to CTF 151, which is a multi-national task force established in January 2009 to conduct counter piracy operations under a mission based mandate to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations. It operates in the Gulf of Aden and the east coast of Somalia.

CTF 151 is part of a 24 nation coalition, the Combined Maritime Forces. CMF patrols more than 2.5 million square miles of international waters to conduct both integrated and coordinated operations with a common purpose: to increase the security and prosperity of the region by working together for a better future.

• Date Taken: 03.29.2010
• Date Posted: 03.29.2010 09:40
• Story ID: 47380
• Location: MANAMA, BH