USS Robert G. Bradley's medical team brings a survivor from a sunken vessel to the ship to provide treatment for sunburn and dehydration. While deployed to the Caribbean, RGB provided medical assistance to four survivors who were found after being adrift at sea for more than 20 days. -Photo courtesy of USS Robert G. Bradley

USS Robert G. Bradley Aides In Rescue Of Missing Costa Rican Fishermen

By Ensign Bryan Koehler
USS Robert G. Bradley PAO

On July 17, while on deployment in the Eastern Pacific, USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) (RGB) assumed the role of on-scene commander for a search and rescue mission to locate nine missing crewmembers of a fishing vessel consumed by fire.

As the on-scene commander, RGB organized the efforts of two U.S. Customs P-3s, a U.S. Coast Guard C-130 and two Costa Rican patrol boats.

After receiving word from Coast Guard District (CGD) 11 of the Costa Rican Government request for assistance, RGB assigned search areas and acted as the communications conduit between the units and CGD 11. The air assets were used to comb three hundred square miles to locate debris fields. Five separate debris fields were found and searched. One body, presumed to be a deceased crewmember, was found and recovered.

Three of the nine crewmembers, who had drifted more than 90 miles from where their vessel sank on makeshift rafts made from fishing buoys, were found adrift by the fishing vessel Costa del Sol approximately 150 miles off the coast of Costa Rica and were in need of immediate medical assistance. They reported been adrift for 22 days after their vessel caught fire and sank.

''Being adrift for 22 days was a very traumatic experience for the survivors, and they were glad to receive medical care, food, drink, and some rest,'' said Command Master Chief Gary Schiffert, who is also a hospital corpsman.

RGB steamed to rendezvous with FV Costa del Sol. Upon arrival, RGB's health care team was transferred to the fishing vessel to evaluate the condition of the survivors. Upon ascertaining they were fit for transfer, RGB transferred the survivors to Sick Bay for treatment for severe exposure, sunburn, and dehydration. SN Diego Ortegalozada acted as an interpreter while HM1 (SW) Paul Bailey and HM2 (SW) Andrew Chubb provided immediate care. One of the survivors of the sunken fishing boat was the vessel's captain, who provided an account of what happened the night the fishing boat caught on fire.

''The first thing in our mind was to assess the condition of the survivors: whether they were fit for transfer to RGB and to provide immediate treatment for sunburn and dehydration,'' said Chubb. ''One of the survivors was so dehydrated he required an IV to rehydrate him.''

After the survivors were stabilized onboard RGB, they were transferred to a Costa Rican Coast Guard Patrol Boat for further medical treatment ashore.

After two days of further search, the fishing vessel Arelis recovered a fourth survivor approximately 80 miles from the primary search area. RGB transited to rendezvous with the Arelis to provide medical assistance to the fourth survivor. Initial reports indicated this survivor was near death. Upon arrival, RGB's medical team determined that in fact he was in fair condition and could be transported. He was then transferred to RGB for further medical treatment. Onboard, he was treated for dehydration, sunburn, and given food and drink.

''In addition to an IV required for rehydration, he had several open wounds on his legs, which were treated,'' said Bailey.

This survivor was debriefed and stated that the remaining six members of the crew were on his raft. He stated one by one, the other five became delirious and had died during the 24 days they were adrift. The four survivors stayed alive by trapping rainwater to drink and eating fish and sea life they were able to catch.

''The survivors were greatful for the help they received,'' said RGB Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Michael Strano. ''This is an amazing story of survival at-sea for 22 days. We were glad that our intervention prevented further loss of life. RGB Sailors performed in an outstanding manner during this intense operation that lasted almost three days. I am extremely proud of them.''

After searching the debris fields for any further survivors and finding none, USCGD 11 secured the Search and Rescue mission and detached RGB to resume her Counter-drug mission while on a six-month deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command area of responsibility.

RGB's medical team brings a survivor from a sunk vessel to the ship to provide treatment for sunburn and dehydration. While deployed to the Caribbean, RGB provided medical assistance to four survivors who were found after being adrift at sea for more than 20 days.