ABOARD USS GONZALEZ, March 1, 2006 – Sailors from the guided missile destroyer USS Gonzalez, currently deployed to the Arabian Gulf, rescued six Iranian mariners yesterday after they had been adrift for 10 days.

Gonzalez's bridge team first spotted the crippled dhow while conducting maritime security operations in the Central Arabian Gulf. Once the destroyer's watchstanders identified the distressed vessel, the ship immediately changed its course to render assistance, officials said. The Iranians explained that their dhow's engine and rudder failed Feb. 18...

...Gonzalez's boarding party gave the Iranian crewmembers food and water, as they had exhausted their supplies during the 10 days adrift. In addition, the U.S. sailors inspected the dhow's engineering plant and determined the engine was beyond repair. Gonzalez then coordinated the mariners' repatriation with other coalition members conducting operations in the area and Iranian authorities. "It felt good to assist," Randall said...