By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Bobby Northnagle
USS BLUE RIDGE, At Sea – Sailors stationed on board the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) rendered assistance to a fishing vessel suffering from mechanical difficulties March 25.
Five Filipino nationals had been fishing at sea when their boat’s motor stalled out, and the vessel was taken out by the current, leaving them adrift for three days with no food.
Blue Ridge watchstanders initially could only make out a small boat and a flag, but once the ship was within three nautical miles of the vessel, they noticed it didn’t appear to be moving and several men were inside.
“We thought it was strange to see something in the water, so we slowed down to get a better look,” said Ensign John Li, Blue Ridge officer of the deck during the response. “As we began looking for signs of distress, we noticed someone was waving a white T-shirt, while someone else was waving a flashlight.”
“I could see them jumping up and down trying to get our attention,” said Hospitalman Cassandra Spain, a bystander. “Their boat was being tossed around like a little toy due to the sea state.”
Responding to the men’s need of immediate assistance, Blue Ridge deployed a boarding team via rigid-hulled inflatable boat for a rescue and safely brought the five men on board the ship.
Once on board, Blue Ridge’s medical crew provided basic first aid, showers and a change of clothes. The men were found to be suffering from hypothermia and malnourishment among other ailments.
“These are situations Navy medical professionals are trained for,” said Blue Ridge Medical Officer Lt. Cmdr. Omar Saeed. “Luckily, we were there at the right place and the right time to save a life.”
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“Why Being There Matters”
On our planet, more than 70 percent of which is covered by water, being there means having the ability to act from the sea. The Navy is uniquely positioned to be there; the world’s oceans give the Navy the power to protect America’s interests anywhere, and at any time. Your Navy protects and defends America on the world’s oceans. Navy ships, submarines, aircraft and, most importantly, tens of thousands of America’s finest young men and women are deployed around the world doing just that. They are there now. They will be there when we are sleeping tonight. They will be there every Saturday, Sunday and holiday this year. They are there around the clock, far from our shores, defending America at all times.