Cole Sailors Provide Civil Maritime Support

Photo By Petty Officer 3rd Class Matthew Bookwalter | Sailors from the guided missile destroyer USS Cole prepare to board an abandoned sailboat that was found drifting in the Atlantic Ocean. Cole is scheduled to participate in Exercise Joint Warrior 09-2, a United Kingdom-led, multi-national and multi-warfare exercise designed to improve interoperability between allied navies as well as to prepare for a role in combined operations during upcoming deployments.  

ABOARD USS COLE, AT SEA

09.30.2009

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Katrina Parker 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East - (Reserve)

USS COLE, AT SEA — Sailors of the guided missile destroyer USS Cole encountered a unique training opportunity, Sept. 29, while transiting the Atlantic Ocean en route to a multi-national exercise in the United Kingdom.

Watchstanders identified a vessel drifting through the ocean, notified their chain of command, and boarded the adrift sailboat.

n addition to informing the embarked Destroyer Squadron 24 commander and his staff, the crew reported the sighting to U.S. Second Fleet Maritime Operations Center and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Coordination between the Navy and Coast Guard ensued, which determined that the owner of the vessel had already been rescued at sea, July 14, by the U.S. Coast Guard and was requesting assistance in recovering his personal effects on the boat.

Upon direction by the Second Fleet MOC, Cole's visit, board, search and seizure team boarded a rigid hull inflatable boat and maneuvered to the drifting boat to collect its owner's personal effects, which will be returned via mail during Cole's next port visit.

As directed by the U.S. Coast Guard, Cole VBSS members marked the vessel adrift to indicate it is an unsafe and abandoned vessel.

Cole's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Edward Devinney praised his crew for their quick response. "Our entire team reacted immediately," said Devinney. "The deck division conducted small boat operations and performed rapid assessments of security. Meanwhile, the bridge watch team provided security for the boarding team and gave a visual play-by-play account to the DESRON Staff Tactical Action Officer."

DESRON 24 Commodore, Capt. John Kersh, addressed the crew after the event to thank them for their support to civil maritime security.

"I think incredibly highly of the USS Cole. You put the RHIB in the water quickly, maneuvered the ship smartly, and got all the reports off the ship to keep the Fleets fully informed," said Kersh. "The demonstration of great teamwork that I saw in Cole was truly magnificent. That is a tribute to each and every one of you and your readiness, and you ought to be very proud."

• Date Taken: 09.30.2009
• Date Posted: 09.30.2009 14:12
• Story ID: 39507
• Location: ABOARD USS COLE, AT SEA