Nine Crew Members Rescued From the Canadian Tall Ship Liana's Ransom

BOSTON — Coast Guard search and rescue crews from Station Gloucester, Air Station Cape Cod and the Coast Guard Cutter Ocracoke rescued nine crewmembers from the Canadian tall ship Liana's Ransom 58 miles east of Gloucester, Monday.
Watchstanders at the Sector Boston Command Center received notification at 12:35 a.m. that the vessel's engines were disabled and its sails were wrapped around the mast.
As the weather deteriorated, and seas reached nearly 10 feet, Sector Boston launched two 47-foot motor lifeboat crews from Station Gloucester to tow the vessel back to Gloucester. Once on scene, the boat crews connected the tow, but the rough sea conditions caused the tow line to break.
The motor lifeboats crews directed the crew of Liana's Ransom to don immersion suits and to prepare to abandon ship about 30 miles east of Gloucester and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk Helicopter from Air Station Cape Cod was diverted to assist.
The nine passengers were transferred from Liana's Ransom to the Coast Guard motor lifeboats. One man suffered a head injury when leaping from Liana's Ransom and was airlifted to Massachusetts General Hospital by the Jayhawk helicopter crew.
The Station Gloucester crews returned to the station with the eight remaining crewmembers. A locator beacon was left on Liana's Ransom for tracking and the Coast Guard Cutter Ocracoke is en-route to evaluate towing the vessel to port.
"It was fortunate for the crew of the vessel that the owner reached out to us," said Jay Woodhead, the command duty officer at Sector Boston's Command Center. He said with winds gusting to 30 knots, it was unsafe for them to stay aboard.

USS Bataan Rescues 282 Persons in Distress

By Lt. Patricia Kreuzberger, Amphibious Squadron 6 Public Affairs

MEDITTERANEAN SEA (NNS) -- The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) transferred 277 persons in distress to the Armed Forces of Malta offshore patrol vessel P61, and another five persons were medically evacuated to Malta, June 7.

Bataan and USS Elrod (FFG 55) rendered assistance June 6 to persons in distress at sea in the Mediterranean after receiving a report of a sinking small vessel. Bataan provided food, water, medical attention and temporary shelter. 

Elrod and Bataan received a report from an Italian military marine patrol aircraft that sighted six small vessels, one of which was sinking, at approximately 3 p.m., June 6.

Bataan launched two Search and Rescue (SAR) MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters to investigate. Once on scene, Bataan's SAR helicopters confirmed a small vessel was sinking. The SAR helicopters then deployed the SAR swimmers to start extracting persons from the water. Elrod deployed their 7-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB); Bataan deployed their 11-meter Captain's Gig and 7-meter RHIB to assist. 282 persons were recovered and brought on board Bataan. 

Bataan, with elements of 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to augment U.S. Crisis Response forces in the region. 

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Bonhomme Richard Assists in Korean Search and Rescue Efforts

SEOUL, Republic of Korea (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) is engaged in search and rescue operations, April 17, near the site of Korean passenger ship Sewol that sank near the island of Jindo off the southwestern coast of the Republic of Korea.

The Bonhomme Richard has been assigned a search area five to 15 nautical miles from the shipwreck site. Two MH-60 Seahawk helicopters from the ship are conducting search and rescue operations within the assigned search area. 

Additionally, the U.S. and Republic of Korea navies will exchange liaison officers to facilitate communications for the search operations.

"Our partners in the Republic of Korea coast guard and navy have the lead during this operation and the South Korean responders have been very efficient with their efforts," said Capt. Joey "JT" Tynch, commanding officer of Bonhomme Richard. "We remain ready to offer whatever help is required. Our thoughts and prayers remain with the passengers and crew of Sewol and their families."

The Korean passenger ship Sewol had more than 450 people embarked and was traveling from Incheon, South Korea to Jeju island at the time of the incident on the morning of April 16. Bonhomme Richard was on a routine patrol in international waters west of the Korean peninsula at the time of the incident. 

"When we were alerted to the accident, we immediately diverted to the scene to render assistance," said Capt. Heidi C. Agle, commodore of U.S. Amphibious Squadron 11. "However, the efficiency of the Korean response eclipsed the immediate need for our assets. We will provide support as requested by the Korean on-scene commander."

Bonhomme Richard is forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan as part of the U.S. 7th Fleet. With its embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit, Bonhomme Richard is capable of both combat and humanitarian operations. The ship's primary mission is to embark, deploy and land elements of a Marine Landing Force in amphibious assault operations by helicopter, landing craft, amphibious vehicle or any combination of these methods. 

Bonhomme Richard is also equipped with MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft, MH-60 Seahawk helicopters, CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopters and small boats with the capability of conducting search and rescue operations. The U.S. 7th Fleet will continue to provide assistance to the search and rescue operation as requested by Republic of Korea rescue authorities.

USS Vandegrift Returns to San Diego following Rescue at Sea

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided missile frigate USS Vandegrift (FFG 48) arrived at Naval Base San Diego April 9 following the rescue of a family with a sick infant on a disabled sailboat approximately 1,300 miles south of San Diego.

The rescue at sea was a joint-interagency rescue effort involving Navy, Coast Guard and California Air National Guard personnel that started April 3 after the Coast Guard received a distress call from the sailing vessel, Rebel Heart, requesting assistance for a sick one-year old child.

"As a Navy warship we prepare for all types of contingencies and several different missions. I will say that my crew was able to turn on a dime to complete the exercise that we were doing and then get ready for a real life rescue mission," said Lt. Cmdr. Daryl Robbin, executive officer of Vandegrift.

Following the distress call, the U.S. Coast Guard requested assistance from the California Air National Guard's 129th Rescue Wing, stationed at Moffet Field, Calif. and the Navy. The 129th Rescue Wing launched an Air Force MC-130P Combat Shadow aircraft and four pararescuemen who arrived on scene and rendered medical assistance. U.S. 3rd Fleet directed Vandegrift, which was conducting routine operations off the coast off San Diego, to render assistance to the distressed vessel.

"It was a little bit tough since we are rolling into a deployment soon, everyone knew it was a real situation and we came together for that," said Lt.j.g Chris Cheezem, boat officer during the rescue. "It was great job satisfaction to have been put through drills inspections and then to be able to use it in a real world rescue mission."

Vandegrift arrived on scene April 6 and brought the family and four pararescuemen aboard using the ship's 7-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB). 

"We would like to express how grateful we are to the men and women of the Coast Guard, California Air National Guard and Navy who rescued our family, especially the pararescuemen and crew of USS Vandegrift," said Eric and Charlotte Kaufman, family rescued from sailing vessel Rebel Heart. 

Prior to mooring at Naval Base San Diego, the ship made a previously scheduled stop at Naval Air Station North Island to load ordnance. The family disembarked at that time to proceed to their family physician. 

"The Vandegrift was in the right place at the right time and we were happy to help," said Cmdr. Luis Alva, commanding officer of Vandegrift. 

Joint, interagency and international relationships strengthen 3rd Fleet's ability to respond to crises and protect the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners.

Coast Guard Cutter Crew Rescues Dog Stranded On Ice

Crew members assigned to Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay assist a dog they found stranded on the ice of Lake St. Clair, March 4, 2014. The crew transported the dog to the ship and hoisted it aboard, where it was provided food and first aid before being transferred to an area animal shelter for further care. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy Cutter Bristol Bay)

Crew members assigned to Coast Guard Cutter Bristol Bay hoist aboard the ship a dog they found stranded on the ice of Lake St. Clair, March 4, 2014. The dog was taken inside the ship, where it was provided food and first aid before being transferred to an area animal shelter for further care. (U.S. Coast Guard photo courtesy Cutter Bristol Bay)

USS Halyburton Assists in Rescue of Panamanian Crashed Helicopter

CARIBBEAN SEA (NNS) -- A Panamanian helicopter crashed killing one and injuring eight while working together with USS Halyburton (FFG 40) conducting operations in support of Operation Martillo in the 4th Fleet area of operations, Feb. 6.

The names of the victims will not be released until after notification of the next of kin and released by the Panamanian authorities. There were no U.S. service members or personnel hurt in this incident.

The Panamanian helicopter, a Bell 412, had arrived in the vicinity of the beached small craft and assumed monitoring activities from the U.S. helicopter when it crashed with nine people onboard.

The Halyburton, a guided-missile frigate, immediately assumed the role of search and rescue on-scene commander. While Cutlass 466, the MH-60R attached to the Halyburton from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 46, returned to the area to begin search and rescue operations.

Halyburton's helicopter Cutlass 466 transported six of the wounded to a hospital in Panama, while Panamanian forces rescued and are transporting the other two survivors.

Halyburton is currently deployed in the Caribbean Sea conducting counter illicit trafficking operations in support of Operation Martillo.

Operation Martillo targets illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters along the Central American isthmus, and is an international, interagency operation which includes the participation of 14 countries committed to a regional approach against transnational criminal organizations moving illicit cargo.

This deployment is Halyburton's last deployment in her 30-year career, as she is scheduled to decommission later this year. Her keel was laid Sept. 26, 1980 and she was commissioned Jan. 7, 1984. She is named for Petty Officer 2nd Class William David Halyburton, a pharmacist's mate, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism, May 10, 1945, while serving with the Marine Rifle Company, Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, First Marine Division on Okinawa.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command and U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command's joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions.

USS Spruance Rescues Mariner

SINGAPORE STRAIT (NNS) -- Sailors from the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) rescued a Filipino mariner, Jan. 18, who had fallen overboard from his vessel while transiting the Singapore Strait.

At approximately 7:25 am (local) Spruance received a distress call from Malaysian-flagged motor vessel Pantagruel regarding a crewmember going overboard. Spruance quickly launched its rigid-hull-inflatable boat (RHIB) into the water to locate the mariner. Sailors on board the RHIB were able to recover the mariner and assessed that he was in stable condition. The mariner was then transferred to a Singapore Police Coast Guard vessel.

"The boat crew did an excellent job reacting to a stressful situation," said Lt. j.g. Katherine Miyamasu, Spruance's boat officer. "[Boatswain's Mate First Class] Jesus Hernandez spotted the man from the RHIB and everyone else sprang into action. It was a great day to be in the Navy." 

"I'm very proud of my crew for their quick reaction and professionalism," said Cmdr. Dan Cobian, Spruance commanding officer. "We consistently train for these situations in order to always be prepared to render assistance on the high seas."

Spruance departed its homeport of San Diego Oct. 16, 2013, and is deployed to the 7th Fleet area of operations supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.