US Warship Assists Distressed Sailing Vessel

A U.S. Navy warship came to the aid of a sailing vessel drifting about 150 nautical miles east of the Bahamas on Saturday.

After the distressed vessel radioed for help on Friday morning, U.S. Coast Guard District 7 coordinated with USS Mitscher (DDG 57) , the closest ship able to render aid.  Mitscher rendezvoused with the vessel later that evening and towed it overnight to the closest port of San Salvador, Bahamas.

The 51-foot sailing vessel had a damaged steering shaft and was unable to maneuver. There were three adults onboard and all remain in good condition.

“I am thankful that we were in a position to render assistance to mariners in distress,” Mitscher’s Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Matthew Cox, said. “The crew’s ability to quickly prepare and safely tow the vessel to safe harbor shows the versatility, professionalism, and teamwork of our Sailors.  I’m very proud of how the team worked together during this event.”

Mitscher, which is part of Destroyer Squadron 22 and Carrier Strike Group 2, is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting unit-level training.

The Arleigh Burke class guided-missile destroyer was built by Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division and commissioned in 1994.