Sailor falls overboard, recovered aboard big deck America

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120205-N-RR095-052 ARABIAN SEA (Feb. 5, 2012) A search and rescue swimmer signals all clear after jumping from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, during a search and rescue training exercise. HSC-23 is embarked aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). Makin Island and embarked Marines assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (11th MEU) are deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stephen D. Doyle II/Released)

A seaman recruit stumbled down a ladder and into the Pacific Ocean Monday, but crew members acted quickly to get their shipmate back unharmed, according to a Navy report.

The 21-year-old sailor was walking along a catwalk on the starboard side of the flight deck when he tripped, the report said. The ship had an SH-60S Seahawk helicopter flying at the time and it swooped into action. The helo’s search and rescue swimmer deployed to save the sailor, who was rescued within 13 minutes, said Lt. Julianne Holland, a spokesperson for U.S. 3rd Fleet. He was transported to the ship’s medical facility for evaluation and released when it found no injuries, she said.

The sailor is back to his normal duties.

The ship is underway off the coast of San Diego conducting testing of the vertical launch F-35B.

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David B. Larter was the naval warfare reporter for Defense News.