Iolan sees high seas drama

News

September 30, 2010 - 12:00 AM

Iolan Andrew Benedict had a first-hand view of the U.S. Navy’s rescue of dozens of passengers from a capsized skiff in the Gulf of Aden Monday.
Benedict, a sonar technician-petty officer third class with the Navy, was aboard the USS Winston Churchill when the destroyer’s crew saw the disabled skiff off the coast of Somalia.
Attempts to repair the boat failed and the destroyer was dispatched to tug it to a Somalian port. However, when sailors attempted to distribute food and other fresh supplies, the skiff’s 80 or so passengers rushed to one side, causing it to capsize.
Thirteen passengers drowned and eight more are missing. The other 60 were taken aboard the Navy vessel and transported to Somalia.
Benedict was assigned to one of the Winston Churchill’s guns during the ordeal, said his grandfather, Carl Ward.
The Gulf of Aden frequently is referred to as “Pirate Alley” because of the danger of Somali pirates attacking shipping vessels in the region.
Benedict, 21, is a 2007 Iola High School graduate. He joined the Navy a few months after graduation.
The Winston Churchill is scheduled to return stateside in December.
When not at sea, Benedict is stationed in Norfolk, Va.
He is the son of Jeff Benedict and Charlene Ward, LaHarpe, and grandson of Carl and Karen Ward, Iola. His brothers are Jake and Alex Benedict.

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