Norfolk Ships Partner, Marines, Coast Guard, Rescue Eight Mariners

From U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Two Norfolk-based ships partnered with Marines and Coast Guard to rescue eight civilian mariners after receiving a distress signal from a civilian fishing vessel July 16.

Coordination between multiple organizations led to the successful rescue of all personnel, which occurred approximately 15 miles off the coast of Cape Lookout, N.C.

The fishing vessel reported it was taking on water and capsizing at approximately 9:30 a.m.

The guided-missile frigate USS Hawes (FFG 53), patrol coastal ship USS Tempest (PC 2), U.S. Coast Guard cutter Albacore (WPB 87309) and a Marine Corps helicopter participated in rescue efforts.

First on scene was a search and rescue helicopter from the Marine Corps Base at Cherry Point, N.C., which deployed a rescue swimmer and retrieved the first of the eight survivors from the water.

Next, Tempest arrived and deployed a small boat with rescue swimmers who recovered five survivors. The final two mariners were rescued by Albacore, stationed at Fort Macon, N.C.

All eight people were reported to be in good condition and transported back to Fort Macon, N.C., for further treatment and evaluation.

Hawes and Tempest are participating in the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX, which is scheduled by Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet and conducted by a training team led by Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic, is a joint/combined exercise conducted off the East Coast of the United States July 7-30.