DECEMBER 14, 2022 – Two U.S. Navy Sailors sustained minor injuries during a man overboard incident in the vicinity of Jeremie, Haiti, at approximately 7:17 p.m. local time yesterday while on deployment with USNS Comfort (T-AH 20) in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.
In total, nineteen personnel fell overboard during transfer from a small boat to Comfort.
All personnel were safely recovered and returned to Comfort with assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harold Miller (WPC 1138).
The two injured Sailors were treated aboard Comfort and are expected to make a full recovery.
The personnel returning to Comfort were ashore at Wharf de Jeremie providing medical care during a Continuing Promise 2022 mission stop.
Comfort has paused ship-to-shore operations in Haiti for December 13th, until a safe alternative for personnel transfer has been identified.
Rear Adm. James Aiken, commander of the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command-U.S. 4th Fleet, told The Associated Press that officials are working hard to bring the mission in Haiti back online after it began on Monday.
“The need is extremely great, and we’re so excited to be able to provide some care,” he said in a phone interview.
Officials said they did not immediately have the number of patients that have been treated so far.
For any questions regarding this incident, please contact USNAVSO/4th Fleet Public Affairs at (904) 804-1205 or lewis.l.preddy.civ@us.navy.mil