U.S. Navy rescues three Filipino fishermen at sea

SOUTH CHINA SEA — The U.S. Navy rescued three Filipino fishermen stranded at sea after their boat was disabled for days in the South China Sea, according to a press release issued by the U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs.

On Jan. 1, 2026, at approximately 12:45 p.m. local time, the crew of the USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE 14), a Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship, spotted a distressed fishing vessel while transiting the area. Watch standers on the ship alerted the bridge, prompting the immediate deployment of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat to recover the individuals.

The three fishermen — all citizens of the Republic of the Philippines — were brought aboard and assessed by the ship’s medical staff. “All three were found to be in good health,” the statement said. Philippine authorities were promptly notified.

According to the fishermen, their ordeal began on Dec. 28, 2025, when their boat’s engine flooded due to heavy seas. The group had departed port on Dec. 27 and had been adrift for four days, surviving on limited food and water rations.

The United States coordinated with officials from the Philippine government to ensure the fishermen were safely repatriated.

“Professional and vigilant watch standing procedures enabled the crew to locate and recover the distressed fishermen quickly and safely,” the Navy stated.

USNS Cesar Chavez conducts routine logistics and resupply missions in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet, which operates across the Indo-Pacific region to promote maritime stability and security.

The South China Sea remains a strategically vital and contested area, with high volumes of commercial and military maritime traffic. Incidents involving stranded vessels occasionally occur due to unpredictable weather and sea conditions.