Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Brian McFadden | (ABOARD USS AUSTIN) - USS AUSTIN (LPD 4) rendered assistance to the stranded dhow...... read more read more
By Lt. Lesley Lykins, Nassau Strike Group Public Affairs Officer
ABOARD USS NASSAU - (Dec. 7, 2005) USS Austin (LPD 4) answered a call for assistance from the Saudi Arabian fishing boat Riviera, Dec. 6 while conducting Maritime Security Operations (MSO) in the Arabian Gulf.
USS Austin was within visual range of the fishing boat when the five crewmembers signaled for assistance at approximately 10:20 a.m. when their fishing nets became entangled in the boat's screw.
"Our lookouts, Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Thomas Zabetakis and Seaman Stanley Kinner, did an excellent job this morning spotting the vessel at 5nm in hazy conditions," said Lt. Cmdr. Dan Evans, the Austin's Executive Officer. "Once we knew that the vessel was in distress, we relayed that to our Commanders and got permission to immediately send over our Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) squad to render assistance."
After providing tools to the distressed vessel, it was determined that further assistance from U.S. Navy divers would be needed. A five-man dive team from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2 detachment 22 was sent to assist from USS Nassau (LHA 4).
"We came to aid Austin with the fishing boat," said Lt. Tim L. Ferracci, the Officer in Charge (OIC) of EODMU 2 det. 22. "Upon sending Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) 1st Class (EOD) Tom McCarter under to investigate, he reported that it appeared that the vessel ran over its own fishing net and it was tangled up in the props. Machinist Mate 1st Class (EOD) Mike Manthey and Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Nate Gregrow then went under to cut the net free with a crow bar and wire cutters."
The Navy divers were able to clear the entangled fishing net from the screw. "The net was made out of a heavy gauge wire mesh," said Ferracci. "After two hours, we got it about 85% free at which time a nearby fisherman offered to tow the boat to shore."
USS Austin, assigned to Expeditionary Strike Group 8 (ESG-8), is deployed in support of MSO. MSO set the conditions for security and stability in the maritime environment as well as complement the counter-terrorism and security efforts of regional nations. MSO deny international terrorists use of the maritime environment as a venue for attack or to transport personnel, weapons, or other material.
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2005 13:06 |
| Story ID: | 3995 |
| Location: | ABOARD USS NASSAU, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 14 |
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