USNS IMPECCABLE

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MSC Ship Rescues 11 Mariners from Sinking Vessel

Ship-owning and managing company Crowley informs that a Military Sealift Command (MSC) vessel under its management has rescued 11 fishermen from a sinking vessel in the South China Sea. While transiting toward Subic Bay, Philippines, on July 19, USNS Impeccable’s (T-AGOS 23) on-watch lookout spotted lights, debris floating in the water and numerous distressed mariners struggling to stay afloat and waving from atop the wheelhouse of a nearly submerged ship located approximately 100 nautical miles northwest of Cape Bolinao, Philippines. Impeccable’s master, Capt. Robert Wiechert, then quickly maneuvered the vessel toward the stricken craft, and assessed that immediate assistance was required to save the stranded fishermen. He promptly gave the order to deploy Impeccable’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) / Fast Rescue Boat to save the sailors from the sinking vessel, which had been adrift for five days. The RHIB, manned by Chief Mate Wayne Robinson and Able Bodied Seaman Clifford Blackmon, made three trips to the sinking vessel and successfully rescued all 11 distressed mariners. Within minutes of the final rescue trip, the derelict vessel completely sunk. http://www.maritimeprofessional.com/news/ship-rescues-mariners-from-sinking-276039