Skyone Incident

Rescue at Sea

From the official report MARG 1983 (Actual date not known*)

"Thirteen merchant seaman were rescued from their sinking ship by the crew of the United States Navy Amphibious Tank Landing Ship USS Sumter (LST-1181). The crew of the 3000 ton merchant vessel, Sky One, abandoned ship at 09:05, approximately 180 nautical miles west of the island of Crete. All crew members were brought safely aboard the American Amphibious Ship. It was early in the morning when the United States Navy Ship, Neosho, relayed a mayday call to Commander Task Force Six One aboard the USS Inchon (LPH-12). The Neosho and the Inchon were conducting refueling at sea operations. Commander Task Force Six One ordered the USS Sumter to detach from the five ship task force to investigate the report of a ship in distress. Additionally, the Inchon was ordered to launch a helicopter for a possible search and rescue mission. Minutes later, a radio report confirmed that the crew of the Panamanian registered ship, Sky One, had left their ship by life boat. The Master of Sky One, Captain Michael Mammalella said a sea suction line ruptured in the engine room sometime before 07:00 in the morning. Progressive flooding started in the engine room and went quickly out of control. By 07:15 it was necessary to abandon ship. Enroute to the scene, USS Sumter first noticed Sky One settling at its stern. Then an international orange colored life boat was sighted drifting to the west of the stricken vessel. It was after 09:30 when the USS Sumter took the first of the thirteen men aboard.

After refueling, the USS Inchon proceeded to the distress area to render assistance. A Greek merchant ship was also standing by to assist. "Even though we knew the crew was safe aboard the Sumter, It was still a traumatic sight." said one officer aboard the Inchon. "You could see Sky One settling at its stern slowly, but steadily. Once the main deck was awash, we knew that the ship was lost." It was 12:07 when Sky One slipped slowly backwards, lifted her bow and slid beneath the sea. A large whirlpool was visible for almost thirty minutes to mark where the ship had once been.

The thirteen survivors included seven Italian, two Yugoslavian, two Turkish, one Spaniard, and a Chilean Sailor. All arrived safely at the Naval Air Station in Sigonella, Sicily. All were without injury and were warmly welcomed by the relieved US Navy and Italian Air Force personnel including the NATO Base Commander, Colonel Annicchiarico and American Navy officials.

Grinning, with his arms stretched high overhead, the first survivor to step onto his homeland, waved and cheered loudly as he disembarked from the US Marine CH53D Helicopter. He was proudly displaying an 8½ x 11 inch photo of his rescue ship, the USS Sumter

*If you know the specific date of this event, please email admin@usssumter.org