A U.S. Navy ship on Nov. 27 rescued two Iranian sailors from a fishing vessel after it had been adrift for eight days in the Gulf of Oman.
The dry cargo ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10) responded after the Combined Maritime Forces, an international maritime coalition based in Bahrain, received a distress call from the stranded sailors at 10 a.m. local time.
The Charles Drew arrived on the scene six hours later and provided them with food, water and medical care.
“This is what we are trained and prepared to do,” said Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces. “As professional mariners, we have a responsibility to help people in need at sea.”
Today, the Charles Drew safely transported the Sailors to an Omani coast guard vessel sailing near Muscat, Oman. The sailors were in good health and spirits at the time of the transfer.
“We thank the government of Oman for their assistance and support in helping us return the sailors home,” Cooper said.
The Combined Maritime Forces is made up of 34 nations and is the largest naval partnership in the world. Its ships and naval personnel operate in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Northern Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Indian Ocean and Arabian Gulf promoting security and stability.
