Amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) assisted in a search and rescue mission for a Kuwaiti jet skier stranded 15 miles off the coast of Kuwait, June 24.
At approximately 8:17 a.m., New York received a call from U.S. 5th Fleet, stating that the Kuwaiti Coast Guard had requested assistance in searching for a man who had been stranded on a disabled jet ski for more than 20 hours.
While New York transited toward the last known position of the jet skier, the aft lookout, Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Lee Domingo , spotted the stranded Kuwaiti approximately 16 miles from the suspected location.
Domingo relayed the position of the person to the officer of the deck who then put word out for the ship to make preparations for the rescue.
Once on the scene, New York launched a rigid-hull inflatable boat, with search and rescue swimmers on board, to render aid.
After the person received first aid for dehydration, the Kuwaiti and his craft was transferred to a Kuwaiti coast guard vessel in the area.
“I could not be more impressed with the response of everybody aboard New York this morning,” said Capt. Jon Kreitz , New York’s commanding officer. “It started with the folks in combat, coordinating closely with the bridge team, and we would not have found the person without the lookouts doing what they do so well. The end result is, we probably saved his life.”
New York and embarked Marines of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are part of the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group. The ship is currently on her maiden deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, June 27, 2012; Image: US Navy