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NWSA1412.  USS Elrod aids Iranian vessel
By LT Dan Salmore, USS Elrod Public Affairs
     ARABIAN GULF (NWSA) -- USS Elrod (FFG 55) came to the aid of
an Iranian vessel in the Arabian Gulf on Dec. 30 while en route
to Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), for a port visit.
     The dhow with nine-man crew on board, was north of Dubai in
international waters en route to its home port of Delvar, Iran,
when it lost a propeller.
     Elrod crew members were unable to contact Khavri by radio,
so they contacted the UAE coast guard and remained in the
vicinity until daybreak.  The ship then dispatched a small-boat
team to investigate.  When Elrod's boat came alongside Khavri,
Boatswain's Mate Seaman Shilpesh Patel, of Strongsville, Ohio,
acted as translator and asked if they required help.  He is
fluent in the Indian/Erdu languages spoken there.
     "Even though our primary mission has been to stop sanction
violators in the north Arabian Gulf," said small-boat coxswain
BM3 Jack Shouts of Mankato, Minn., "it was great to provide aid
to someone in need."
     After giving the Khavri additional water, Elrod remained
nearby until the UAE coast guard came to tow the dhow to port.
     Elrod is expected to return from deployment in March 1996.
                              -USN-