By Jonas Reyes
Subic Bay Freeport – Two Filipino fishermen were rescued by crewmen of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89) during its routine patrol Tuesday in the South China Sea.
According to a statement by the United States Navy, the USS Mustin was conducting a routine patrol in the area when Filipino-American watch officerssaw a fishing vessel with Filipino fishermen on board who were frantically waving.
The US Navy found out that the fishermen’s boat encountered engine trouble and have ran out of food though they had enough drinking water.
The US Navy servicemen extended assistance to the distressed fishermen, and contacted nearby fishing vessels to relay the fishermen’s situation.
The servicemen deployed their Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) and towed the fishermen’s vessels to another Filipino fishing boat.
"The Mustin nation feels very fortunate to have been at the right place at the right time in order to provide assistance to fellow mariners while underway conducting routine operations in the South China Sea. I couldn't be prouder of my sailors’ ability to safely and professionally assist our fellow mariners at sea,” said Cmdr. Warren Smith.
“That pride extends from my bridge watch officers who spotted the Filipino mariners in the distance indicating distress by waving their shirts over their heads, to our Tagalog speakers who could break through the language barrier to determine the extent of the distress, and finally to my small boat team for their ability to tow the fishing boat to safety during heavy rain, lightning, and thunderstorms."
Hospital Corspman 2nd Class Nicasio Bone, one of watch officerson Mustin, said that they were lucky to be on duty when they spotted the small fishing vessel.
"It was fortunate that we saw the banca when we did. Based on the conversation that they had with us, the fishermen had no radio, no way of contacting the coast guard, and were relying on the luck of finding other people out at sea for help," said Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Arleen Castro.
The USS Mustin provided the Filipino fishermen with three days of food before connecting the vessel with their fellow Filipino fishermen’s vessel before continuing their routine patrol.