The Impeccable-class ocean surveillance ship USNS Impeccable rescued 11 fishermen while in route to Subic Bay,
Philippines July 19.
Impeccable sailors spotted personnel on a partially submerged ship and noted debris in the water. The Impeccable Master immediately deemed assistance was required and began preparations to deploy their rigid hull inflatable boat to rescue the personnel.
“This was a team effort with civilian mariners, SECDET (security detachment), MILDET (military detachment) and Lockheed Martin working together to achieve an efficient rescue of all 11 fishermen,” said Robert Wiechert, Impeccable’s Master.
“They initially spotted only eight people on the partially submerged vessel,” said Lt. Cory Hilgart, the theater anti-submarine watch officer at Commander, Task Force 74. “They then realized that it was actually 11 and made the call to commence the rescue effort.”
The RHIB made three trips to the distressed vessel and recovered all 11 individuals.