The multipurpose amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) transferred 277 persons in distress to the Armed Forces of Malta offshore patrol vessel P61, and another five persons were medically evacuated to Malta June 7, 2014.

Bataan and USS Elrod (FFG 55) rendered assistance on Friday to persons in distress at sea in the Mediterranean after receiving a report of a sinking small vessel.  Bataan provided food, water, medical attention and temporary shelter.

Elrod and Bataan received a report from an Italian military marine patrol aircraft that sighted six small vessels, one of which was sinking, at approximately 3pm on Friday

Bataan launched two Search and Rescue MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters to investigate.  Once on scene, Bataan’s SAR helicopters confirmed a small vessel was sinking. The SAR helicopters then deployed the SAR swimmers to start extracting persons from the water. Elrod deployed their 7-meter rigid hull inflatable boat; Bataan deployed their 11-meter Captain’s Gig and 7-meter RHIB to assist.

282 persons were recovered and brought on board Bataan.

Bataan, with elements of 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is operating in the US 6th Fleet area of operations to augment US Crisis Response forces in the region.