Sailors from the guided-missile destroyer USS Cole (DDG 67) provided assistance to stranded fishermen, March 24.

After their boat's engine stopped running, the mariners launched signal flares, and Cole conducted an approach and assist visit (AAV).

"Our boat engineer was able to look at the issues and assist with fixing the engine," said Ens. Alex Monson, the AAV boarding officer aboard Cole. "We brought over a new battery and some cookies which they were very happy to receive."

"This is an example of the goodwill and professionalism of USS Cole," said Cmdr. David Wroe, commanding officer of the Cole. "We did our part to ensure the safety of these fellow mariners, and we are proud of our crew for the timely and highly professional manner in which they dealt with this situation."

Cole is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners, and to preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region.

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For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/5th Fleet, visit www.cusnc.navy.mil/.