USS San Jacinto Rescues Five Stranded at Sea

The United States Navy reports that the USS San Jacinto (CG 56) recently helped to rescued five people from a life raft in the Straits of Gibraltar.

The Straits of Gibraltar is the narrow passage between Spain and Africa. In the ancient world it was called the Pillars of Hercules. For hundreds of years it has been an incredibly busy passage, with thousands of ships moving through it every year. Typically, a radar operator in the open sea has few blips on his screen. When passing through the Straits, however, the screen lights up like a Christmas tree. This is a stress inducing situation, because large ships are difficult to turn, sometimes requiring miles to do so.

The fact that the USS San Jacinto was able to make the rescue in this area without colliding with another ship is a tribute to the sailors and officers and Captain of the ship.

The USS San Jacinto is part of The Truman Carrier Strike Group, part of the 6^th Fleet, that operates in the Mediterranean Sea, and is well familiar with passing through the Straits of Gibraltar.

The San Jacinto launched a boat to assist the stranded people. All on board the raft were rescued with no lives being lost. The San Jacinto provided the survivors with food and water until the Spanish Rescue Coordination Center could be notified so that the survivors could be taken to shore. The San Jacinto remained on the scene to make sure that the survivors were picked up.

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on its way to the Central Command area of operations, to relieve other ships that are currently on duty there. The Strike Group is commanded by Rear Admiral Bill Gortney.

Typically, the smaller ships in such a group are there to protect a large aircraft carrier that provides the real punching power. They serve as outposts to interfere with any approaching aircraft and to attempt to shoot down any approaching missiles. In this case the smaller ship was much better equipped to maneuver in the Straits and assist in the rescue the stranded people.

Ships in the group are USS Harry S. Truman, the guided missile cruisers USS San Jacinto and USS Hue City, three guided missile destroyers which are USS Carney, USS Oscar Austin, and USS Winston S. Churchill. The attack submarine USS Montpelier is part of the group, along with USNS Arctic. The Canadian frigate HMCS Charlottetown and the British destroyer HMS Manchester are also part of the group.

Various air wings and command units also go into the group's makeup.

The United States Navy continues to serve the world community by keeping shipping lanes open and safe.

Carrier Strike Group Makes Rescue, USN