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Seafarer Barrett Mitchell Recognized for Rescue

November 2002

GUDE Barrett Mitchell is scheduled to receive an award this month for his heroic actions earlier this year when he helped save two mariners from another ship who had fallen into the water in Diego Garcia. Mitchell will receive a “Mariner’s Rosette Award” during the 33rd annual Admiral of the Ocean Seas (AOTOS) ceremony, hosted by the United Seamen’s Service. This year’s event is slated for Nov. 8 in New York. The primary AOTOS awards will be presented to Thomas Crowley Jr., president of Crowley Maritime Corp.; and Capt. Tim Brown, president of the Masters, Mates & Pilots. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta will present Crowley’s award, while International Longshoremen’s Association President John Bowers will present Brown’s award. Additionally, a special AOTOS award will be given to Tal Simpkins, president of the United Seamen’s Service, for two decades of service to the organization. Mitchell was a crew member aboard the USNS Charlton while the vessel was at anchor in Diego Garcia on the night of March 30, 2002. He was on a launch returning to the ship when a stop was made to discharge two passengers to the Gus Darnell at anchorage. Gusting winds and rough waters hampered the operation, and the two individuals fell overboard as they tried to reach their vessel’s accommodation ladder. According to a letter of commendation to Mitchell from Maersk Line, Ltd. (which operates the Charlton), the launch operator moved away from the ship because he feared that the people in the water might be caught in the propellers or crushed between the hulls of the two vessels. At the same time, his deckhand tossed two life rings. “The wind and current quickly swept both rings out of the struggling victims’ reach,” notes the letter. “You quickly realized that rescue efforts had stalled and the tiring swimmers were in danger of drowning before the ship or launch could rescue them. You dove into the water, retrieved one of the drifting life rings and swam to the aid of the victims. Your actions gained precious minutes, which allowed the ship time to lower its gangway into the water and retrieve the crew members. Your lifesaving aid to fellow seafarers upheld the oldest tradition of the sea and gained the respect of all those who know and serve with you.”

‘Something Drastic Was About to Happen’ As Barrett Mitchell watched the pair of mariners struggling in the water, he quickly realized two things. One, “something drastic was about to happen.” Two, “I never would have forgiven myself if I hadn’t tried to help. I knew I at least was capable of retrieving the life ring and bringing it to them.” With those thoughts, Mitchell dove into the water, retrieved a drifting life ring and gave it to the other mariners (a man and a woman). “They took it and that kept them afloat until the gangway was lowered to them,” Mitchell noted. The Seafarer said he was confident throughout the ordeal. “I’m a pretty strong swimmer, and the only time I thought about the sharks was when I was swimming back to the launch,” he added with a chuckle. Mitchell, one of about 10 people aboard the launch, said he didn’t get the names of the people he assisted. Their vessel departed early the following morning. “The current was rough, and you could tell they were getting exhausted,” he said. “The situation was becoming dire.”