USNS JOHN ERICSSON, At Sea (NNS) —Civil service mariners aboard Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AO 194) rescued five people lost at sea in a small boat near the Solomon Islands Wednesday.

While conducting routine operations in the Solomon Sea Tuesday, Ericsson received notification from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers in Australia and Papua New Guinea at about 11 p.m., to be on the lookout for a missing commercial vessel.

At approximately 8 a.m. local time the following morning, Ordinary Seaman Tyrone Mouzon spotted a small commercial vessel with five individuals aboard waving frantically. Mouzon notified the watch officer, Third Mate Timothy Gervais, who alerted Ericsson’s civil service master Capt. Richard Kirk, who immediately ordered the ship to head toward the small craft and render assistance.

“Visibility at the time was very limited by rain squalls, so it was very fortunate that the mate on watch spotted these commercial sailors,” said Kirk.

Ericsson carefully inched close to the boat and the ship’s crew secured lines to the small craft. Safely secured alongside, Ericsson brought the commercial sailors on board where they received medical examinations as well as food and water.

“The sailors were tired and dehydrated but they appeared to be in good condition,” said Kirk.

Ericsson is one of MSC’s 15 fleet replenishment oilers that deliver aviation and diesel fuel to U.S. Navy ships at sea.