Navy ship rescues fishermen from Gulf of Aden

Posted to: Military

A boat crew from the Navy cruiser Chosin approaches three Yemeni fishermen before rescuing them on Tues., Nov. 17 in the Gulf of Aden. The fishermen told Navy officials that pirates who hijaced their vessel told them they had a choice of jumping into the water or being killed. (Navy photo)

By Cindy Clayton
The Virginian-Pilot
© November 19, 2009

The crew of a Navy ship rescued three fisherman who jumped off their boat Tuesday after pirates gave them an ultimatum: Jump into the waters of the Gulf of Aden or die.

The Yemeni fishermen survived for three days using a wooden plank as their flotation device with a few bottles of water, according to a Navy news release.

The fishermen were rescued by the crew of a merchant ship who notified coalition forces, the release says. A rescue crew from the cruiser Chosin picked up the fishermen.

They were treated by medical personnel aboard Chosin and given food and water, according to the Navy. They were transferred to a Yemeni naval vessel.

The Chosin, based in Pearl Harbor, is the flagship for Combine Task Force 151, a multinational task force established to combat piracy throughout the Combined Maritime Forces area of responsibility. Along with the United States, the task force includes naval forces form Spain, Pakistan, Australia, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

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