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A P-3 Orion crew from Patrol Squadron Eight played a critical role in the 10 April rescue of the crew of the Maria Emelyn II. The fishing vessel had been adrift in the South China Sea since 21 March. The US Navy offered assistance after attempts by the Philippine navy and coast guard to locate the four fishermen were unsuccessful. Missions were flown from Kadena AB at Okinawa, Japan, and Subic Bay, the Philippines. VP-8 began search operations 6 April and located the vessel three days later near the Spratly Islands. VP-8, based at NAS Brunswick, Maine, is on a routine six-month deployment to the Seventh Fleet area of responsibility.
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