San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD 23) rendered assistance and provided aid to the crew of a stranded Sri Lankan-flagged fishing vessel, M/V Lakshan on November 4.
Watchstanders spotted six mariners aboard the vessel waving articles of clothing in an attempt to get the attention of the U.S. Navy ship as Anchorage was transiting through the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The commanding officer aboard Anchorage, Capt. J.J. Cummings, ordered the dispatch of a rescue and assistance team, which determined Lakshan had experienced a crank case explosion, leaving both engines unworkable and beyond at-sea repair.
The fishing vessel had been at sea without power for one day when the fishing vessel’s crew hailed the crew of Anchorage for assistance.
The rescue and assistance team delivered food, water and car batteries to power the stranded vessel temporarily to the crew of Lakshan. M/V Beyanara, roughly 165 nautical miles away at the time of Anchorage’s arrival on station, was dispatched for assistance by the fishing vessel’s parent company. Anchorage remained on station until their arrival.
Image: US Navy