USS Gettysburg Saves Fishermen at Sea

Navy Newsstand ^ | 5/6/2003 1:11:00 PM | Second Fleet Public Affairs Staff

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

NORFOLK, VA (NNS) -- USS Gettysburg (CG 64) rescued four civilian mariners in distress at sea May 3. The mariners were rescued approximately 50 miles east of Mayport, Fla.

The Mayport-based guided-missile cruiser was conducting routine operations off the coast of Mayport when it received a radio distress call. The crew responded immediately, racing to the scene and recovering the four mariners with one of the ship’s small boats.

The Capolla had been at anchor earlier in the morning, when a large wave capsized the 23-foot fishing vessel, throwing the four mariners into the Atlantic Ocean. They had spent 10 hours in the water prior to being rescued.

“When I talked to them,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steve Saunders, Gettysburg chaplain, “they were really glad to see us. There were sharks swimming around the boat. After firing off the flares and nobody responding, they began to have thoughts that it might be their last day, they might not be recovered.”

“When we’re out there, we’re also helping people,” said Ensign Frank Gasperetti, Gettysburg officer of the deck. “When it happens, you know, it’s a great feeling, and we did something good and positive.”

Once aboard, the rescued mariners received fresh water, food, blankets and medical attention and then were transferred to a Coast Guard unit for transportation back to shore.

The capsized vessel was subsequently sunk by Gettysburg to eliminate any hazard to navigation.

For related news, visit the Commander 2nd Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic Navy NewsStand page at

www.news.navy.mil/local/c2f.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

Eternal father, strong to save
Whose arm doth bind the restless wave
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Nice prayer.

It seems that our naval ships have been rescuing a great number of stranded fisherman in the past six months. One of them, twice, if I am not mistaken!

[muggs]

My husband and I took a cruise several years ago. We heard all the engines shut down so we went up on a deck to see what was going on. The ship stopped to rescue 3 or 4 men that had been drifting for several days. They were in pretty bad shape. Never did hear if they were all okay but the owner of the boat didn't want them to leave his boat drifting at sea. It was kind of cool to see the rescue.

[VOA]

Nice prayer.

And part of the great lyrics from The Naval Hymn ("Eternal Father")...although
you and most lurkers probably already know that.

The only reason I digress is that as a naive civilian, I first took notice of the song
and the great lyrics/sentiment at Richard Nixon's funeral.
An acapella quartet of two men and two women (Naval personnel) sang the song...
shame on me for never paying attention to it before that.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I think I've heard that before, too. I know that the USS Cole has been involved in at least two at-sea rescues after the terrorist attack.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

The Capolla had been at anchor earlier in the morning, when a large wave capsized the 23-foot fishing vessel, throwing the four mariners into the Atlantic Ocean. They had spent 10 hours in the water prior to being rescued.

That is really scary. You're relaxing on deck with a drink, next thing you know you're shipwrecked in shark-infested waters.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

I remember that service, also. In the past several weeks I have took more notice of the military's hymns, and the use of prayer... prayers of thanksgiving for the rescued helicopter pilots, prayers of rememberance for the fallen heroes, prayers of strength and protection for those in harms way. Prayer through music is very powerful.