FIFTEEN people were rescued from a sinking cargo vessel by sailors assigned to the Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet, in the Gulf of Aden.
The Fifth Fleet in Juffair said it was notified by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations watch centre that a motor vessel – Falcon Line – had experienced engine failure and was taking on water on Monday.
The USNS Patuxent, a replenishment oiler, took charge of the situation and proceeded to rescue the ship’s crew before it sank completely.
“Patuxent safely recovered the 15 crew members and provided them with food, water and medical screening,” the Fifth Fleet said.
“The US Fifth Fleet is co-ordinating with the owner of Falcon Line and other authorities to determine the most appropriate location to debark the crew members.”
The US Navy regularly works with coalition forces, regional partners and the shipping industry to maintain the regional awareness necessary to help mariners in distress.
“As professional mariners, our forces have a duty to help those in need at sea,” said Task Force (TF) 53 commander Captain Michael O’Driscoll.
“Sailors and civilian mariners aboard ships like Patuxent have answered this call before, and they will continue to do so whenever possible.”
The Fifth Fleet’s area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean.
It also covers three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.
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