During the predawn hours of Friday morning, January 18, 2019, in an Israel Navy control facility, a vessel was seen bring dragged with the current towards Gaza.

A 916 naval patrol unit was dispatched to the site and identified a vessel with a man on it. After a preliminary investigation, it was found that a French citizen was found on the deck, that his ship had been in a storm, and that he had been in the sea for several weeks due to a ship failure. Platoon 916 rescued the civilian and evacuated him for medical assistance.

“After the ship was identified, the fighters acted swiftly to rescue and bring the citizen to safety while providing first aid on board our ship. We will continue to carry out our mission throughout the year and in all weather conditions,” read a prepared navy statement.

Jean-François Colas was lost at sea for 30 days until this happened… pic.twitter.com/CNejHc8nDz

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) January 19, 2019

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)