At around 7.53 a.m. local time, an MH-60R Seahawk from the “Raptors” of HelicopterMaritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 spotted the disabled fishing vessel, AlMamsoor, with one person on board. The vessel was tethered to one of twoother dhows nearby.
“Our first priority was to make sure that all the crew (of the fishingvessel) was safe,” said Lt. Will Jourdan, pilot of the helicopter. “Afterwe identified the vessel and reported it to back to the ship, we remained onscene.” Dewey travelled to Al Mamsoor at flank speed, to assist the Iranianfishermen, who had fled the sinking dhow and boarded the other dhows. The destroyer’s visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team was sent tocommunicate with the displaced crew members and determine their needs. “Once we talked with their captain, it was clear that they needed food andwater,” said Lt. j.g. Jason Dawson, the VBSS team leader. For more than two hours, the VBSS team provided food, water, medical andhygienic supplies, and confirmed that the dhow’s crews did not needadditional fuel. While rendering aid, they learned that the Al Mamsoor crew fought floodingfor three days before finally abandoning their vessel. After ensuring the safety of the crew and providing approximately 150 poundsof supplies, the VBSS team departed the scene and returned to Dewey.
“I’m very proud of my team,” said Dawson. “The crew of the dhow knew that wewere there to help, and we did.” Dewey, part of Destroyer Squadron 21, is conducting maritime securityoperations on a scheduled deployment with the John C. Stennis Strike Group. The commander of the strike group, Rear Adm. Craig Faller, commented onDewey’s assistance to the Iranian mariners.
“I am extremely proud of ourJohn C. Stennis Strike Group Sailors for demonstrating once again theirreadiness to render life-saving assistance at sea.”