THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, January 25, 1995 TAG: 9501250423
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 44 lines
The six-man crew of a Baltimore-based Army tug is safely back home following a weekend of problems that required the help of ships and aircraft from the Navy, the Army and the Coast Guard.
The 107-foot tug Salerno encountered engine problems Friday in 12-foot seas and 45-knot winds about five miles off the Cape Hatteras coast.
Among those eventually involved in the rescue were the Norfolk-based guided missile cruiser Normandy, a 44-foot Coast Guard patrol boat from Cape Hatteras, another Army tug from Fort Eustis in Newport News, and a Coast Guard helicopter and cargo plane from Elizabeth City, N.C.
The crew of the Salerno radioed its distress about 12:10 a.m. Friday, saying a crack in its engine casing had caused a sharp loss of power.
When the Coast Guard reported it could use some assistance, the Norfolk-bound Normandy diverted and steamed 100 miles at more than 30 knots to reach the scene, said Navy Lt. j.g. David Brett-Major, a spokesman for the ship.
After battling heavy seas, the Normandy managed to get a tow line to the Salerno. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard hoisted all six crewmen from the Salerno to the Normandy's flight deck. All were brought aboard without injury.
Once in the Chesapeake Bay, the tow was turned over to the Army tug Nathaniel Green, based at Fort Eustis. The Salerno, which had been destined for Sunny Point, N.C., for use as a fire boat, will be returned to Baltimore. It is assigned to the Army Reserve's 949th Transportation Company, 313th Transportation Battalion. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
JOSHUA GRIFFIE
The Normandy, a Norfolk-based guided missile cruiser, takes the tug
Salerno under tow. Ships and aircraft from the Navy, Army and Coast
Guard were involved in the weekend rescue.
KEYWORDS: ACCIDENT MILITARY RESCUE AT SEA by CNB