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USNS Seay responds to save four lives in Straits of Gibraltar
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The large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off vessel USNS Seay Feb. 9 provided critical support in the rescue of four people from a fishing boat in harsh weather in the Straits of Gibraltar.
At 0050, the 950-foot military cargo ship was notified by the Tarifa Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) in Tarifa, Spain, that a small craft had issued a distress signal and was in need of assistance. The Seay turned to the vessel's last known position, and at 0112 a small wooden fishing vessel was sighted. The weather included winds of 25 to 25 knots, with gusts of up to 45 knots, and nine to 12 foot seas, Capt. Tom Madden, master of the USNS Seay, reported. The approximately 25-foot boat had four passengers onboard-three adults and one child. Over the next hour, the Seay maneuvered to shield the vessel from high winds until a rescue craft from the Tarifa Rescue Coordination Center arrived to pick up the four passengers from the boat. "The rescue boat made contact with the Seay at 0151," Capt. Madden reported. At "0200 to 0208, the rescue boat came around the windward to the leeward side of the Seay, and even with the small boat lit up by the search light and maxi-beam, they had a tough time getting a visual on them. By 0210, the rescue boat was alongside the craft and the personnel transfer was done. "The crew performed flawlessly," Capt. Madden said. "The bridge team of Third Mate Terry Simmons, Second Mate Garrett Winner, Helmsman Greg Johnson and Lookout Ron Poole did what they were supposed to do. The deck gang, led by Chief Mate Dave Centofanti, and assisted by Third Mate Kevin Zeller and Bosun John Wells, rigged all needed gear for personnel recovery and provided needed situational information. The engineroom, led by Chief Engineer Mo Oliver, First Assistant Engineer Paul Ebaugh and Third Assistant Engineer John Thompson, provided support on such an immediate request faster than I have ever seen. They had all aspects of bow thrusters and engines ready for whatever was needed. The Navy force protection team, led by GM1 Robert Prine and GM1 Carl Ward, were right with the deck gang to assist in the humanitarian aspect, as well as being positioned to provide security, if needed. Their assistance on the bridge was a major help in keeping the information flow fresh. "The continued praise by the RCC let everyone aboard know that the Seay had succeeded in the tradition of the sea to aid a fellow seaman in distress," Capt. Madden said. The USNS Seay is one of nine LMSRs operated for the U.S. Navy's Military Sealift Command by American Overseas Marine Corp. and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers. The following day, the Seay arrived at port in Rota, Spain, to load helicopters and equipment used by the U.S. Army's 82nd Combat Aviation Brigade in Afghanistan. The equipment is being redeployed to the U.S. |
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