US ship saves stricken Iranian sailors

U.S. Navy

In this picture issued by the U.S. Navy, the crew of a U.S. Coast Guard vessel provide help to Iranian mariners after their boat started taking on water.

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By msnbc.com staff

A U.S. Coast Guard ship helped six Iranian sailors Tuesday after their cargo vessel began taking on water, according to a statement issued by the U.S. Fifth Fleet.

The patrol boat Monomoy, which is assigned to Task Force 55 in the Persian Gulf (also known as the Arabian Gulf), saw distress flares coming from the dhow Ya-Hussayn during the night early Tuesday, the statement said.

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"The dhow's master requested assistance from Monomoy indicating the engine room was flooding and deemed not seaworthy," it added.

U.S. Navy

After they were rescued, the Iranian mariners were provided with Halal food in accordance with Islamic custom.

"Monomoy immediately launched their small boat and approached the Ya-Hussayn. Two persons were rescued from the vessel, and four from a life raft tied off to the dhow's stern," it said.

The statement said the men were given water, blankets, and Halal meals "in accordance with Islamic law."

Dead 'without your help'
It quoted Hakim Hamid-Awi, the owner of the Ya-Hussayn, as thanking the Coast Guard personnel and said the Iranians "wished the best for the Captain and crew."

"Without your help, we were dead. Thank you for all that you did for us," he said, according to the statement.

One Iranian was treated for injuries that were described as "not serious" and the sailors were later transferred to an Iranian Coast Guard vessel, the statement said.

U.S. Navy Captain Edward Cashman, Commander of Task Force 55, said Monomoy had "displayed exceptional skill and professionalism during the night time rescue."

Boatswain Mate 2nd Class Emily Poole, Monomoy's medic, said they were just doing their job.

"Saving lives is the last thing you expect to do at 0300 while patrolling in the Northern Arabian Gulf, but being in the Coast Guard, that's what we are trained to do," she said, according to the statement.

Source: http://worldnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/10/10095440-us-ship-saves-stricken-iranian-sailors

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