Gonzalez Sailors Assist Stranded Iranian Mariners

Photo By Cmdr. Charles Brown | Members from USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) provide assistance to an Iranian dhow. The vessel had been adrift for ten days before Gonzalez rescued the dhow's crew by providing them food and water and coordinating the crew's repatriation after determining their engine was beyond repair. Gonzalez is currently on a deployment ot the region in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO). MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny the illegal use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.  

03.01.2006

Courtesy Story

DVIDS Hub       

By Lt. j.g. Jason Gutierrez
USS Gonzalez (DDG 66) Public Affairs

Aboard USS GONZALEZ (DDG 66) - The guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), currently deployed to the Arabian Gulf in support of maritime security operations (MSO), rescued six Iranian mariners Feb. 28 after they had been adrift for 10 days.

Gonzalez's bridge team first spotted the crippled dhow while conducting MSO in the Central Arabian Gulf. Once the destroyer's watchstanders identified the distressed vessel, the ship immediately changed its course to render assistance. The Iranians explained that their dhow's engine and rudder failed Feb. 18.

"Patrolling warships are sometimes called on for humanitarian interventions," said Cmdr. Robert D. Randall, the ship's commanding officer.

Combined Forces Maritime Component assets, like Gonzalez, are flexible enough to continue the MSO mission while providing assistance to mariners in distress. Naval assets conducting coalition MSO have a longstanding tradition of providing medical assistance, engineering assistance, and search and rescue.

Gonzalez's boarding party gave the Iranian crew food and water as they had exhausted their supplies during the 10 days adrift. In addition, the U.S. Sailors inspected the dhow's engineering plant and determined the engine was beyond repair. Gonzalez then coordinated the mariners" repatriation with other members of the coalition conducting MSO in the area and the Iranian authorities.

"It felt good to assist," said Randall.

The crew of the Norfolk-based warship deployed to the Middle East as part of the Sea Swap program in February to conduct MSO and support Operation Enduring Freedom.

Maritime security operations help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny the illegal use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.

• Date Taken: 03.01.2006
• Date Posted: 03.01.2006 09:24
• Story ID: 5550