An MH-60S Sea Hawk flies above the destroyer USS Bulkeley in the Mediterranean Sea on Dec. 24, 2023. U.S. Navy sailors helped save the lives of 30 people stranded on a boat adrift for days in the eastern Mediterranean on July 16, 2024. Another passenger died following attempts at resuscitation. (Jacob Mattingly/U.S. Navy)
NAPLES, Italy — Quick action by Navy sailors on routine patrol in the eastern Mediterranean Sea helped save the lives of 30 people stranded on a boat adrift for days.
Sailors assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 79 spotted people indicating distress aboard the vessel Tuesday during flight operations and reported the sighting to the destroyer USS Bulkeley, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet said in a statement Wednesday.
While working with the Joint Rescue Coordination Center, Bulkeley requested that a nearby commercial ship, Seaways Sabine, help the stranded single-engine inflatable small boat.
Crew members from Seaways Sabine ultimately found 31 people aboard the boat, three of whom needed medical attention, according to the statement.
Corpsmen from Bulkeley traveled by rigid hull boat to the commercial vessel to offer medical assistance to the three unresponsive people. One died following an extended period of CPR, the Navy said.
Sailors from the destroyer USS Bulkeley participate in small boat operations, Jan. 2, 2024, in the Mediterranean Sea. U.S. Navy sailors helped save the lives of 30 people stranded on a boat adrift for days in the eastern Mediterranean July 16, 2024. Another passenger died following attempts at resuscitation. (Joseph Macklin/U.S. Navy)
The other two people were in stable condition and taken to the nearest suitable port by the merchant ship. The remaining 28 passengers on the boat were being taken by Seaways Sabine to Port Sidi Kurayr, Egypt, the Navy said.
“This incident, while unfortunate, underscores our Navy’s ability to respond to those in need and showcases the readiness and capabilities of our team,” said Cmdr. Arturo Trejo, commander of Bulkeley, one of four destroyers deployed to Naval Station Rota in Spain.
Each year, tens of thousands of migrants and refugees attempt risky sea crossings from the coasts of Libya, Tunisia, Turkey and other countries seeking safe haven and economic opportunities in Europe.
Many die when often overcrowded and unseaworthy boats are overcome by rough seas or become disabled.
Last month, 64 people were reported missing after the boat they were in caught fire and capsized off the southern coast of Italy near Calabria. Although 11 people were rescued, one died soon after, The Associated Press reported June 18.
In another shipwreck the same day, dozens of people were rescued from a sinking wooden boat near the Italian island of Lampedusa, but rescuers found the bodies of 10 people trapped below the deck, AP reported.
Sailors aboard the destroyer USS Bulkeley participate in flight operations Jan. 5, 2024, in the Mediterranean Sea. U.S. Navy sailors helped save the lives of 30 people stranded on a boat adrift for days in the eastern Mediterranean July 16, 2024. Another passenger died following attempts at resuscitation. (Joseph Macklin/U.S. Navy)
