U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet Public Affairs
PERSIAN GULF – Dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) provided assistance to the crew of a pirated cargo ship, Dec. 2, ending six weeks the 18 crew members spent as hostages.
Comoran-flagged merchant vessel Al Marjan was seized by Somalia-based pirates, Oct. 17, and held in Somali territorial waters.
Once Al Marjan was released, two boarding teams from Whidbey Island boarded Al Marjan to conduct a security sweep and provide aid to the crew members.
"Once we boarded the vessel, one of the first crew members who saw us started crying. They were so relieved that the pirates were gone," said Ensign Elizabeth Tree, a boarding team leader.
With the exception of minor cuts and bruises, the crew members appeared to be in good health.
Whidbey Island was on hand to provide aid to other recently released pirated vessels. She provided food, water and fuel to motor vessels Mavuno I and Manuvo II, both released from pirates Nov. 4. USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) then escorted the south Korean-flagged vessels to the port of Aden, Yemen. Whidbey Island also assisted merchant vessel Ching Fong Hwa following its release from pirates, Nov. 5.
Whidbey Island is currently deployed to the 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and supporting the U.S. sea services' new maritime strategy, which provides opportunities for military forces to work more closely with regional partners and allies to protect and extend security and prosperity, which depend on free use of the seas.
Coalition forces conduct maritime security operations under international maritime conventions to ensure security and safety in international waters so that all commercial shipping can operate freely while transiting the region.
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