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Seafarers-crewed Stockham commended by Navy (4/25)

The Seafarers-crewed USNS Stockham operated by American Overseas Marine Corporation (AMSEA), recently received a citation commending the crew members and officers for their roles in assisting a nuclear submarine after it ran aground south of Guam. The submarine USS San Francisco had been conducting submerged operations and was headed to Australia for a port visit when it grounded in January. One of the San Francisco’s crew members died and 23 others were injured. The Stockham and a U.S. Coast Guard cutter subsequently escorted the submarine to safety. In the commendation to the Stockham, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral A.J. Johnson cited the crew’s “outstanding performance of duties while serving as rescue platform during the emergency response to the grounding … from 8 to 10 January 2005. Demonstrating exceptional readiness, the officers and crew of the USNS GYSGT Fred W. Stockham prepared the ship to sortie in support of rescue operations in less than four hours. Through meticulous attention to detail and unwavering professionalism, the crew safety and expeditiously loaded additional rescue assets to include two 11 meter rigid hull inflatable boats, a sea, air and land medical team, and while getting underway, two HH-60H helicopters…. “Demonstrating the exceptional engineering readiness of Stockham to respond to the mission at hand, the ship made best speed to rendezvous with San Francisco, arriving just after dawn and covering the 350 nautical miles in less than 14 hours. The crew quickly launched the two helicopters to insert much-needed medical assistance to the damaged submarine. Additionally, flight deck personnel professionally supported the numerous attempts to evacuate a critically injured submariner, and the crew effortlessly readied the rigid hull inflatable boats for launching should they be needed. “Your quick response, fast transit and the assets you carried on board provided great comfort to the crew of the submarine, which you escorted until she was safely pierside in Apra Harbor. Your professionalism, initiative and loyal devotion to duty reflected credit upon yourself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” ###