USS Makin Island conducts search for Chinese mariner

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Mathew Diendorf | PACIFIC OCEAN – Sailors aboard a rigid-hull inflatable boat, launched from the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), approach the trimaran of a missing Chinese mariner during a search and rescue mission in the western Pacific Ocean. The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group is deployed with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of the Navy’s maritime strategy in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Jason J. Perry)  

PACIFIC OCEAN

10.26.2016

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Dennis Grube 

USS Makin Island (LHD 8)

USS Makin Island (LHD 8) Sailors and embarked Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 “Blackjacks,” in concert with assets from the U.S. Coast Guard, attempted to locate Chinese mariner Guo Chuan during a search and rescue (SAR) operation in the waters off Hawaii, Oct. 26. Although the team located Chuan’s vessel, Qingdao China, no signs of life were found aboard.

“Despite the team’s best efforts all the way around, this is an unfortunate outcome,” said Navy Capt. Mark Melson, the commanding officer of USS Makin Island, and the on-scene commander for the search and rescue mission. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and loved ones of Guo Chuan.”

Chuan was attempting a new world record for a solo trans-Pacific voyage from San Francisco to Shanghai in a 97-foot super trimaran. Chuan had not reported to his ground support team in 24 hours when the U.S. Coast Guard was notified.

After receiving the order to conduct the search and rescue operation from U.S. 3rd Fleet on Oct. 25, Makin Island advanced at best speed to the vessel’s last known location.

Melson said that rendering assistance to vessels and sailors in distress is the responsibility of all professional mariners.

“Having the capability to assist with missions like this is important,” Melson said, “because the open sea is unforgiving, and we all have to look out for one another in this environment.”

Once within range of the vessel, early on Oct. 26, Makin Island launched an MH-60S helicopter with a SAR swimmer and personnel from Fleet Surgical Team Five aboard. The helicopter lowered the SAR swimmer, who was unable to board the vessel due to unsafe conditions created by a heavy sea state.

Makin Island advanced to within 700 yards from the vessel and launched a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB), from which Sailors boarded the vessel. Chuan was not on the trimaran, life preservers were still on board, and the jib sail was dragging in the water.

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for Guo Chuan Wednesday night.

“We recognize his tremendous achievements, innovative spirit and boundless courage,” said Melson.

Makin Island, the flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, is on a scheduled deployment with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in support of security and stability in the U.S. 3rd, 5th and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility.

The Makin Island ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8), the command ship for Amphibious Squadron Five and the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, as well as the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25), on its maiden deployment, and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Comstock (LSD 45).

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• Date Taken: 10.26.2016
• Date Posted: 10.28.2016 18:06
• Story ID: 213228
• Location: PACIFIC OCEAN