US Navy destroyer rescues Peruvian fishermen adrift at sea

The US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy came to the aid of distressed mariners at sea on Wednesday, July 24.

While conducting routine operations in the US 4th Fleet area of operations, the destroyer’s crew spotted a small fishing boat with individuals aboard waving flags in distress. Five Peruvian mariners were aboard the fishing boat, which had suffered engine failure off the coast of Peru before drifting for more than eight days.

The vessel was located 80 nautical miles off the Ecuadorian coast.

Upon confirmation that the vessel and its crew posed no threat, a boarding team was quickly despatched from Michael Murphy to assess the situation and to provide the fishermen with food and water.

The rescued mariners said they had run short on food five days before they were spotted by the destroyer and that they were on their third day without fresh water.

Technicians were later despatched to the boat to provide mechanical assistance but lacked the parts needed to make necessary repairs. The fishermen were then transferred to Michael Murphy while their boat was rigged to be towed.

The fishermen and their boat have since been turned over to the Ecuadorian Coast Guard.