Navy Ship Rescues 12 Mexicans 3 Days After Fishing Boat Sinks
A San Diego-based Navy ship on maneuvers off Mexico rescued 12 Mexican fishermen three days after their boat sank, 600 miles southwest of Cabo San Lucas, the Navy reported Friday.
The tank landing ship Tuscaloosa entered the search for the missing fishermen Monday after the U.S. Coast Guard received a distress signal that a 92-foot Mexican fishing boat, Paola, was sinking.
On Thursday, the crew of a Coast Guard C-130 aircraft spotted a flare from a raft about 25 miles from the Tuscaloosa.
The ship got to the lifeboat within two hours.
The members of the Paola were treated for exposure and were given hot meals, showers and dry clothing before being turned over Friday to a ship from the Mexican navy.
The Tuscaloosa is designed to carry 300 Marines and their equipment for beach landings. Its own crew comprises 15 officers and 235 sailors.
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