US sailors rescue five Filipinos stranded at sea

Sailors attached to USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) rescue five stranded Filipino nationals whose fishing vessel suffered from mechanical difficulties. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Cody R. Babin)

MANILA, Philippines—Five Filipinos stranded at Philippine Sea for three days were rescued by US sailors on Wednesday.

USS Blue Ridge of the US 7th Fleet deployed a boarding team via rigid-hulled inflatable boat after they sighted the men in need.

“We thought it was strange to see something in the water, so we slowed down to get a better look,” Ensign John Li, Blue Ridge (LCC 19) officer of the deck during the response, said in a statement dated March 25.

The Filipino nationals had been fishing at sea located east and north of the Philippines, when their boat’s motor stalled out and the vessel was taken out by the current which left them at sea for three days without food.

“As we began looking for signs of distress, we noticed someone was waving a white T-shirt, while someone else was waving a flashlight,” Li said.

The fishermen were provided basic first aid, showers and a change of clothes. One was suffering hypothermia and malnourishment. RC