Filipino-American US Navy crewmen lead rescue of distressed fishermen

fishermen
The distressed fishermen were spotted by Filipino-American crew members who led the operation to lead them to safety. US Navy photo.

The guided missile destroyer USS Mustin stopped to rescue two Filipino fishermen who were stranded aboard a broken-down boat.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer was conducting a routine patrol near Subic Bay on Tuesday (June 26) when watchmen sighted the fishing vessel with two Filipino men onboard frantically waving. 

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After pulling alongside and communicating with the fishermen in Tagalog, it was determined the fishing vessel had engine trouble. The two fishermen had water onboard, but no food, and were unable to make contact with the local coast guard. 

According to a statement from the US Navy, the Mustin crew provided immediate assistance. They first contacted one of the nearby fishing vessels to relay the mariners’ situation. They then deployed an inflatable boat and towed the fishing vessel to rejoin their fellow fishermen.

“The Mustin nation feels very fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time in order to provide assistance to fellow mariners while underway conducting routine operations in the South China Sea. I couldn’t be prouder of my Sailors’ ability to safely and professionally assist our fellow mariners at sea,” said Commander Warren Smith.

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“That pride extends from my bridge watch officers who spotted the Filipino mariners in the distance indicating distress by waving their shirts over their heads, to our Tagalog speakers who could break through the language barrier to determine the extent of the distress, and finally to my small boat team for their ability to tow the fishing boat to safety during heavy rain, lightning, and thunderstorms.”

The Filipino-American watchmen on Mustin said they were fortunate to be on the bridge when the banca, a small local fishing vessel, was spotted. 

“I was glad to be at the right place and at the right time. As luck would have it, I was already on the bridge and was able to help with the language barrier using the ship’s announcing system,” said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Nicasio Bone. 

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“It is the right thing to do to help people in distress and if anyone was put in the same position as me, they would bring the same help. I was really impressed by how the ship came together at the end of a long day to help these two fishermen; it seemed natural to do.”

“It was fortunate that we saw the banca when we did. Based on the conversation that they had with us, the fishermen had no radio, no way of contacting the coast guard and were relying on the luck of finding other people out at sea for help,” said Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Arleen Castro.

After ensuring the banca and its crew were safely back with other Filipino fishing vessels, the Mustin crew provided three days of food and continued their patrol. 

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