LOS ANGELES, Aug 3 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The seven Marines and sailor missing after their amphibious assault vehicle sank off the California coast are presumed dead as search and rescue operation ended, the Marine Expeditionary Force said in statement.
“The 15th [Marine Expeditionary Unit and the [Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group] leadership determined that there was little probability of a successful rescue given the circumstances of the incident,” the statement reads.
“All eight service members are presumed deceased.”
Fifteen Marines and the sailor were aboard the AAV were returning to amphibious warship USS Somerset (LPD-25) after operating on San Clemente Island when the AAV began to take on water, Marine officials told reporters.
Eight Marines were rescued. One Marine later died from his injuries while two more Marines were in critical condition at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California. The other five have returned to their unit.
Now the Marines and the Navy are working to recover the bodies of the missing service members and find the AAV that sank in hundreds of feet of water off San Clemente Island.
“Our thoughts and prayers have been and will continue to be with our Marines’ and sailor’s families during this difficult time,” Col. Christopher Bronzi, 15th MEU Commanding Officer, said in a statement.
“As we turn to recovery operations we will continue our exhaustive search for our missing Marines and sailor.”
The Navy dispatched submarine search and rescue ship HOS Dominator to assist in the recovery. The ship, assigned to as Undersea Rescue Command, is equipped with remotely operated underwater vehicles and other specialized undersea equipment.
As of Sunday morning, the ship was operating off the West coast of the Island
Additionally, Guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG-113); amphibious warships USS Makin Island (LHD-8), USS Somerset (LPD-25) and USS San Diego LPD-22; and Coast Guard cutter USCGC Forrest Rednour (WPC-1129) are searching for the missing service members. Additionally, three Navy MH-60 helicopters, a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk and small boats embarked from Makin Island had participated in the 40-hour search.
In response to the incident, the Marines have suspended AAV water operations. — NNN-AGENCIES
