November 19, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release #198-09

USS Chosin Rescues Three Yemeni Fishermen in the Gulf of Aden

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Matthew A. Hepburn

MANAMA, Bahrain – USS Chosin (CG 65), the Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 flagship, rescued three stranded Yemeni fishermen in the Gulf of Aden Nov. 17.

According to the fishermen, they were left stranded in the water after 12 suspected pirates hijacked their vessel. The fishermen also said that the pirates gave them an ultimatum to either jump overboard with only a wooden plank as a flotation device or be killed.

After surviving for three days with only a few bottles of water, a passing merchant vessel spotted them in the water. The merchant vessel notified Coalition forces and a Chosin rescue team picked up the stranded fishermen.

Chosin medical personnel treated the fishermen and the ship gave them food and water. Once the fishermen were deemed to be medically stable, Chosin transferred the fishermen to a Yemeni naval vessel.

CTF 151 is a multinational task force established to conduct counter piracy operations under a mission-based mandate throughout the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) area of responsibility to actively deter, disrupt and suppress piracy in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations. CTF 151 currently includes naval forces from the United States, Spain, United Kingdom, Pakistan, Australia, and Turkey.

Photos:

091117-N-9500T-219 GULF OF ADEN (Nov. 17, 2009)--A boat crew from USS Chosin (CG 65) approaches three distressed mariners that were spotted clinging to a piece of wood in the Gulf of Aden. Chosin is the flagship of Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations under a mission-based mandate to actively deter, disrupt, and suppress piracy off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Taylor/RELEASED)

091117-N-9500T-272 GULF OF ADEN (Nov. 17, 2009)--Search and Rescue Swimmer Gas Turbine Systems Mechanic 2nd Class Alfredo Rodriguez swims toward the last of three distressed mariners clinging to a piece of wood in the Gulf of Aden. The men were spotted by a civilian cargo ship, which radioed for assistance. Chosin is the flagship of Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations under a mission-based mandate to actively deter, disrupt, and suppress piracy off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Taylor/RELEASED)

091117-N-9500T-579 GULF OF ADEN (Nov. 17, 2009)-- The first of three distressed mariners that was rescued from the Gulf of Aden is helped aboard USS Chosin (CG 65), which rescued the men after a civilian cargo vessel spotted them and called for assistance. Chosin is the flagship of Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to conduct counter-piracy operations under a mission-based mandate to actively deter, disrupt, and suppress piracy off the coast of Somalia. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Scott Taylor/RELEASED)