USS George Washington Rescues Fishermen off FL Coast

Four people rescued from a burning fishing vessel were treated on board USS George Washington (CVN 73) yesterday (Feb. 2) for mild hypothermia and second degree burns before being taken to medical facilities in Jacksonville, Fla. A fifth victim died, and the cause of his death will be determined by a civilian medical examiner in Jacksonville, Fla. One of the survivors was identified as an U. S. Navy Sailor stationed at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. The four survivors, as well as the remains of the deceased, were flown by C-2A aircraft from USS George Washington (GW) to medical facilities in Jacksonville, Fla., at approximately 3 p.m. (EST). The C-2A aircraft, assigned to the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40, is based at Naval Base Norfolk, Va. Survivors have confirmed that there were only five people on board the 25-foot, privately owned fishing vessel Little Spray when it caught fire. The cause of the fire was unknown. The vessel is reported to have sunk approximately 60 miles east of St. Augustine, Fla. The survivors were reportedly in the 73 degrees F. water for approximately two hours. The USS George Washington was in the area conducting flight operations when it responded to a call for help from the Coast Guard. After confirming the fire on board the Little Spray, GW dispatched two rescue helicopters from Reserve Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 75, to rescue the victims. HS-75, based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., was embarked aboard GW to provide search and rescue support. Upon their arrival on scene, search and rescue swimmers brought four of the victims into the hovering helicopters while the fifth was rescued by crew members of Whiskey Man, a private craft which also responded to the Coast Guard's call for assistance. Shortly afterward, the victim was transferred to the Diamond Shoals, and eventually to the GW by HS-75 crewmembers. USS George Washington Rescues Fishermen off FL Coast From Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs Four people rescued from a burning fishing vessel were treated on board USS George Washington (CVN 73) yesterday (Feb. 2) for mild hypothermia and second degree burns before being taken to medical facilities in Jacksonville, Fla. A fifth victim died, and the cause of his death will be determined by a civilian medical examiner in Jacksonville, Fla. One of the survivors was identified as an U. S. Navy Sailor stationed at Naval Station Mayport, Fla. The four survivors, as well as the remains of the deceased, were flown by C-2A aircraft from USS George Washington (GW) to medical facilities in Jacksonville, Fla., at approximately 3 p.m. (EST). The C-2A aircraft, assigned to the Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40, is based at Naval Base Norfolk, Va. Survivors have confirmed that there were only five people on board the 25-foot, privately owned fishing vessel Little Spray when it caught fire. The cause of the fire was unknown. The vessel is reported to have sunk approximately 60 miles east of St. Augustine, Fla. The survivors were reportedly in the 73 degrees F. water for approximately two hours. The USS George Washington was in the area conducting flight operations when it responded to a call for help from the Coast Guard. After confirming the fire on board the Little Spray, GW dispatched two rescue helicopters from Reserve Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 75, to rescue the victims. HS-75, based at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla., was embarked aboard GW to provide search and rescue support. Upon their arrival on scene, search and rescue swimmers brought four of the victims into the hovering helicopters while the fifth was rescued by crew members of Whiskey Man, a private craft which also responded to the Coast Guard's call for assistance. Shortly afterward, the victim was transferred to the Diamond Shoals, and eventually to the GW by HS-75 crewmembers. From Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet Public Affairs