USS Anzio (CG 68) came to the rescue of a Pakistan-flagged dhow in distress in the Arabian Sea on Feb. 13 while conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the 5th Fleet area of operations.
The 13-person crew of motor vessel Al-Sanaullah, from Pasni, Pakistan, signaled Anzio’s airborne helicopter as it flew by them by waving rags and pointing to gas cans. The helicopter crew, at the time some 30 nautical miles from Anzio, directed the ship to the stricken dhow’s location.
A rescue and assistance team boarded the dhow as part of their MSO mission to provide supplies and assistance to the crew. The vessel was out of fuel and had been drifting for four days. The boarding team provided the dhow’s crew with approximately 500 gallons of fuel and water, fruits, bread and meat.
Anzio crewmember Seaman Deepak Kumar translated to the boarding officer that the master of the motor vessel said he was appreciative of Anzio’s aid and kindness in helping his crew and vessel.
As part of MSO, coalition forces have a long standing tradition of helping mariners in distress by providing medical assistance, engineering assistance, and search and rescue efforts.
Anzio, part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, departed Naval Station Norfolk on Oct. 3 for a regularly scheduled deployment in support of MSO and entered the 5th Fleet area of operations Oct. 30.
MSO help set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment and complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. These operations deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons or other material.
Source: NavNews