The guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) rendered aid to a distressed vessel Jan. 15 while operating in the Gulf of Oman.

Bulkeley's bridge team spotted two men in a small, power-driven fishing vessel waving their arms and a makeshift flag. Bulkeley slowed to stay near the vessel and sent the Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team to render assistance.

The skiff's crew had no food or water onboard. Bulkeley provided food, water, and blankets and contacted a regional coast guard. Bulkeley remained with the vessel until they arrived.

"Safety of Life at Sea is a mission the Navy is well prepared to perform," said Cmdr. Hank Allen, Bulkeley's commanding officer. "It is our responsibility to render aid to vessels in distress. The Bulkeley team did a great job today, from spotting the vessel at a distance and recognizing their distress, to rendering assistance. Two people will be sleeping in their beds tonight, when they might not have been otherwise."

Bulkeley is deployed with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th fleet areas of operation. HSTCSG consists of the staff of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28 and her ships: guided-missile destroyers Bulkeley, USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), and USS Ramage (DDG 61).

For more news from USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), visit www.navy.mil/.