Posted:
July 1, 2013
Mariners aboard the large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Seay June 25 rendered assistance to a commercial vessel in distress while underway in the Indian Ocean.
The Raptor, a 49-foot Australian-flagged catamaran, radioed the USNS Seay, indicating the catamaran's five crew members were in good health and spirits, but had experienced trouble with the vessel's sails June 20 before the vessel's engines failed, Military Sealift Command reported.
Captain Bruce Kreger, master on the USNS Seay, immediately ordered a change in course to render assistance, MSC reported.
"The crew of the Raptor seemed anxious to effect repairs and get back on their voyage," Kreger said.
After consulting with British Indian Ocean Territory Diego Garcia customs and police, the USNS Seay towed the stricken vessel to Diego Garcia, MSC reported.
"It took about 20 hours to complete the tow, but the safety of the vessels was our primary objective," Kreger said.
Approximately three nautical miles from the Diego Garcia lagoon, a small craft assigned to Diego Garcia's port operations met the catamaran and towed it safely to the pier. The Raptor was scheduled to undergo repairs at Diego Garcia, MSC reported.
Operated for MSC by General Dynamics American Overseas Marine and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, the USNS Seay is one of 12 Navy ships assigned to Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two, which ensures the readiness of Navy prepositioning ships in the Pacific. These ships carry afloat prepositioned cargo for various U.S. military services. The squadron's mission is to transport vital equipment and supplies to a designated area of operations in support of combatant commanders worldwide.
USNS Seay assists distressed vessel
Mariners aboard the large medium-speed roll-on/roll-off ship USNS Seay June 25 rendered assistance to a commercial vessel in distress while underway in the Indian Ocean.
The Raptor, a 49-foot Australian-flagged catamaran, radioed the USNS Seay, indicating the catamaran's five crew members were in good health and spirits, but had experienced trouble with the vessel's sails June 20 before the vessel's engines failed, Military Sealift Command reported.
Captain Bruce Kreger, master on the USNS Seay, immediately ordered a change in course to render assistance, MSC reported.
"The crew of the Raptor seemed anxious to effect repairs and get back on their voyage," Kreger said.
After consulting with British Indian Ocean Territory Diego Garcia customs and police, the USNS Seay towed the stricken vessel to Diego Garcia, MSC reported.
"It took about 20 hours to complete the tow, but the safety of the vessels was our primary objective," Kreger said.
Approximately three nautical miles from the Diego Garcia lagoon, a small craft assigned to Diego Garcia's port operations met the catamaran and towed it safely to the pier. The Raptor was scheduled to undergo repairs at Diego Garcia, MSC reported.
Operated for MSC by General Dynamics American Overseas Marine and manned in all licensed positions by American Maritime Officers, the USNS Seay is one of 12 Navy ships assigned to Maritime Prepositioning Ship Squadron Two, which ensures the readiness of Navy prepositioning ships in the Pacific. These ships carry afloat prepositioned cargo for various U.S. military services. The squadron's mission is to transport vital equipment and supplies to a designated area of operations in support of combatant commanders worldwide.