Posted on 05/24/2003 5:25:24 AM PDT by Clive
HALIFAX (CP) -- HMCS Fredericton rescued two workers from a burning ship in the Persian Gulf on Friday and helped them get to hospital.
The ship, which was deployed from Halifax in March to participate in Operation Apollo, received a distress call from the Al Safa early Friday.
"They were reported as having had a fire in the galley, resulting in two injured crew members with severe burns," Maj. Marc Theriault said from Operation Apollo's command station in Tampa, Fla.
A Sea King was sent to the ship, but was unable to hoist the men onto the aircraft because it was alongside another vessel.
Another ship recovered the men and transported them to HMCS Fredericton, where they were stabilized. The vessel's Sea King then took them to an undisclosed airport in the region.
Theriault said they were taken to a burn unit. One man suffered first- and second-degree burns to 70 per cent of his body, and severe trauma. The other had similar burns to 40 per cent of his body.
The frigate is taking part in a multinational task force to fight terrorism, which also includes HMCS Iroquois.
The coalition is responsible for escorting ships, intercepting and boarding suspect vessels and guarding against attacks on ships.
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