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U.S. Navy Rescues 282 Refugees in Mediterranean

Published Jun 9, 2014 9:25 PM by The Maritime Executive

The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) transferred 277 people in distress to the Armed Forces of Malta offshore patrol vessel P61, and another five persons were medically evacuated to Malta on June 7. 

Bataan and USS Elrod (FFG 55) rendered assistance in the Mediterranean after receiving a report from an Italian military marine patrol aircraft that sighted six small vessels, one of which was sinking. Bataan launched two Search and Rescue (SAR) MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters to investigate. Once on scene, Bataan's SAR helicopters confirmed a small vessel was sinking. The SAR helicopters then deployed the SAR swimmers to start extracting persons from the water. Elrod deployed their 7-meter rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB); Bataan deployed their 11-meter Captain's Gig and 7-meter RHIB to assist.

282 persons were recovered and brought on board Bataan where they were provided with food, water, medical attention and temporary shelter. 

Bataan, with elements of 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations to augment U.S. Crisis Response forces in the region.