US carrier rescues six Iranian sailors in Arabian Gulf waters

[Barrett808]

MANAMA (AFP) - The US aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy rescued six Iranian sailors after their cargo vessel started taking on water in the Arabian Gulf, the US Navy's Fifth Fleet revealed.

After a distress signal was received, "Kennedy dispatched two H-60 helicopters from (squadron) HS-15 to the scene" early Saturday morning, said a statement that was issued Sunday.

"Aircraft ... monitored the dhow and coordinated helicopter rescue operations," it said, adding that all crew members were rescued from the Iranian-flagged Naji dhow and later treated on the carrier.

The Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet is working to repatriate the six Iranians "as soon as possible", the statement said.

The United States and Iran have no diplomatic relations.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/20040815/wl_mideast_afp/us_gulf_iran_rescue_040815114933

Now that's what I call "gunboat diplomacy."

[daleo]

1. It will be nice if this is all there is to it. n/t

n/t

[Massacure]

2. How noble.

Provided they don't expect something in return that is...

[BrotherBuzz]

3. I would expect no less

Ships are obliged to rescue people in distress at sea under international law.

[bemildred]

4. I think it's nice.

Sometimes things are just what they look like.
The dhow has it's flaws as an oceangoing craft.

[DrWeird]

5. Terrorist sailors deported to Guantanemo, reports Pentagon.

According to source in the White House, six terrorists were detained today in a foiled plot to destroy the ocean floor by ramming it with a dhow in a suicide sinking.

[Cat Atomic]

6. LMAO