January . 7, 2008  ~ OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - ) - Earlier today, Her Majesty's Canadian Ship (HMCS) Charlottetown provided assistance to a stranded vessel carrying five people in the Gulf of Aden, about 58 kilometers off the coast of Somalia.

Upon approaching the vessel as part of routine Maritime Security Operations, it became apparent to the crew of HMCS Charlottetown that the vessel had been stranded without food, water, and fuel. With the help of a translator, the crew of HMCS Charlottetown was able to determine that the vessel had been adrift in the Gulf of Aden for the last seven days with only a tarp rigged as a makeshift sail. HMCS Charlottetown provided food, water and fuel to ensure the vessel's voyage back to its intended destination, which was Bossaso, Somalia.

HMCS Charlottetown is currently deployed for six months on Operation ALTAIR, Canada's maritime contribution to the continuing U.S.-led campaign against terrorism known as Operation ENDURING FREEDOM. On November 1, 2007, the Halifax-class patrol frigate departed Halifax, N.S., for the theatre of operations in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea.

Operation ALTAIR

While patrolling off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden, HMCS CHARLOTTETOWN came across stranded Somalian fisherman who ran out of fuel, water and food.  After rendering them assistance with there needed commodities the fisherman were on their way.<p>

Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship (HMCS) Charlottetown is currently deployed on Operation ALTAIR (Roto 3), Canada’s maritime contribution to the continuing United States led campaign against terrorism known as Operation Enduring Freedom.

Under the Command of Commander Patrick St-Denis and with a crew of  250 Officers and sailors, including a CH-124 Sea King helicopter detachment, HMCS Charlottetown is conducting surveillance patrols and maritime interdiction operations to control sea-based activity in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.  HMCS Charlottetown will also be assigned to monitor shipping, escort commercial vessels, and help detect, deter and protect against terrorist activities to bring long term stability to the area.

Throughout the deployment, HMCS Charlottetown will also conduct port visits designed to reinforce established regional relations and demonstrate Canada’s ongoing commitment to international security.

Credit: Cpl Robert LeBlanc, Formation Imaging Services, Halifax, NS