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Shasta Crew Comes to Aid of Sri Lankan Fishing Vessel

By Lt. Chuck Bell, Commander, Task Force 73 Public Affairs

May 6, 2003, SINGAPORE (NNS) - The crew of the ammunition ship USNS Shasta (T-AE 33) provided gas and food to a stranded Sri Lankan fishing vessel May 2 while transiting the Indian Ocean.

More than 100 gallons of diesel fuel and a bag of rice were passed to the crew of six.

"It's what mariners do for other mariners," explained Boatswain's Mate Evan Hastings, a Seattle, Wash., native and coxswain of the rigid hulled inflatable boat (RHIB) launched by Shasta after the 40-foot fishing vessel signaled its need for assistance.

"It was just another contact, until they started flashing their light," said Able Bodied Seaman Robert Mathis, from San Diego, the bridge lookout. After approaching the fishing vessel with several crew members waving for help, Shasta's RHIB boat crew determined that the vessel was in need of fuel and food, which Shasta mariners managed to later transfer in their RHIB. "The boat crew did an excellent job with the challenge of transporting four drums of fuel and overcoming the language barrier," said Second Officer (Day) Will Woodman, a Seattle, Wash., native who served as boat officer during the daylight operation.

Shasta crew members were not able to determine how long the fishing vessel had been stranded because of difficulty communicating with the fishermen, according to Capt. Greig Hague, Shasta's master. But the crew of the Sri Lankan vessel found a way to express their appreciation for the Shasta crew's kindness, sharing several yellowfin tuna from their catch. His crew enjoyed the fish the next day, Hague said, during a cookout, or "steel beach picnic," aboard.

Hague, a Bremerton, Wash., native, said he was proud of his crew's performance. "The immediate and enthusiastic response from all personnel involved in the operation was a pleasure to watch. All hands felt good about assisting other mariners in distress."

"In 23 years of sailing with MSC (Military Sealift Command), I have participated in three vessel assist operations," said Boatswain's Mate Hector Gonzales, another member of Shasta's RHIB crew during the operation. The Kawit, Cavite Province, Philippines, native said he gets a sense of satisfaction each time, but perhaps most rewarding is the thought that he has helped fellow mariners "return to their families."

Shasta has a crew of approximately 134 civilian mariners and seven active-duty U.S. Navy Sailors. The ship recently supported Operation Iraqi Freedom and is currently conducting operations in 7th Fleet.


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