The rule of the sea transcends even geopolitical rivalries and was on full display this week as the American crew of the SLNC York was rescued by the Chinese crew of the Pacific Yantai in the middle of the Pacific Ocean after the York suffered a mechanical failure on August 18.
All crew of the York, manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers and in unlicensed positions by Seafarers International Union, are safe and they are getting a ride on the Pacific Yantai to South Korea. Pacific Yantai is a tanker that sails under the Chinese flag and was headed to Korea when it received the York distress call.
It is unclear what faltered on the York, which is part of the U.S. Maritime Administration’s Maritime Security Program, but salvage tugs are enroute to secure the heavy lift vessel. The 16-year-old ship was stabilized and the weather and sea state were reported as calm and are not expected to present an issue for the immediate future.
AMO Executive Board members were in constant contact with the captain and chief engineer on the York and the AMO National President is expected to travel to South Korea to meet with the York crew.
“Our officers and the York crew did an excellent job fighting the situation until they were able to depart the ship,” the AMO National President said. “My sincere thanks to the Captain and Crew of the Pacific Yantai for arriving on scene and being good Samaritans. No matter our political background, we are all Mariners with common goals of moving the world economy for our nations and getting home safely to our loved ones.”