US Navy rescues eight Iranian sailors

Manama: The US Navy has saved eight Iranians who were in danger after their ship was on fire.

"Units assigned to Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group rescued eight Iranian mariners in the Arabian Sea," the Bahrain-headquartered Navy said in a statement.

"At approximately 8:45 pm on Thursday, while conducting a routine mission over the northern Arabian Sea, an F/A-18 spotted a vessel approximately 50 miles from USS Harry S. Truman that was on fire and in distress. Two SH-60 helicopters from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron were dispatched to render assistance, arriving on station at approximately 930 pm."

A helicopter search and rescues (SAR) swimmer was deployed into the water and discovered eight people in the raft.

"The first helicopter recovered four mariners and transported them back to Truman. A short time later, the remaining four mariners were recovered by the second helicopter.  The mariners told the aircrew that all of their personnel on the vessel were accounted for."

During the transit back to Truman, the aircrew distributed blankets and coordinated with the ship to have dry clothes and footwear ready for the stranded mariners upon arrival to the carrier.

"Truman's medical department set up a medical triage in the hangar bay upon receiving word that the SH-60s were inbound with the eight mariners. The assessment by Truman's medical staff revealed that the eight were in excellent shape with no significant injuries. The medical department provided them with food, water, and a fresh change of clothing," the Navy said.

The eight mariners will remain on the ship until arrangements are made for their return home.