USS San Jacinto Improves Navigational Safety in Persian Gulf
Story Number: NNS051128-03
Release Date: 11/28/2005 9:19:00 AM
By Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Curt Cooper, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Public Affairs
ABOARD USS SAN JANCINTO (NNS) -- USS San Jacinto (CG 56) Sailors improved the navigational safety of the Northern Persian Gulf when they mounted two seven-inch, solar-powered strobe lights on a sunken oil tanker and its marker buoy Nov. 20.
The tanker, believed to have sunk during the early 1990s in the first Gulf War, created a significant navigation hazard for small boats and coalition vessels conducting maritime security operations (MSO) in the North Persian Gulf, near the Iraqi Al Basra oil terminal (ABOT).
Chief Damage Controlman Frank Ferrantelli, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., and Hull Repair Technician 1st Class Michael Slack, from Gallipolis, Ohio, installed the lights, creating a safer environment for mariners.
“The light will make the lanes safer for vessels transiting to and from ABOT and our [visit, board, search and seizure] teams in the [rigid hulled inflatable boat] in particular,” said Ferrantelli.
Capt. Charles Neary, San Jacinto’s commanding officer, believed his Sailors improved the safety for all vessels navigating the waters near ABOT, but particularly for small boats operating in the area.
“As small boats are traveling around at high speeds, I was concerned that one of them may run into the [wreck] at night and injure one of my Sailors,” said Neary.
“The total cost of the project was about $2,400, and I thought the benefit would greatly outweigh the cost.”
San Jacinto is currently deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, conducting MSO in the North Persian Gulf as the flagship for Combined Task Force 58, a multinational coalition led by Royal Navy Commodore Bruce Williams.
MSO seek to preserve the free and secure use of the world’s oceans by legitimate mariners and prevent terrorists from attempting to use the maritime environment as a venue for attack or as a medium to transport personnel, weapons or other illicit material.
For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusnc/.
