Filipino seafarers help rescue New York man in Atlantic Ocean

The crew of MV Norfolf posing with AIDS activist Victor Mooney (middle in black T-shirt).

Victor Mooney of Forest Hills, New York third attempt to row across the Atlantic Ocean from Africa to New York ended in a rescue. On his second day on the life raft, Mooney was turned away from a ship while he was in distress. Twelve days later, he was rescued by Diana Shipping Inc. (NYSE: DSX), a bulk carrier based in Athens, Greece that was heading to Brasil.

After MV Norfolf received a distress signal from the US Coast Guard, their course was diverted.

“The crew, nearly all Philippine nationals worked courageously during the five hour night time rescue,” Mooney said. “It was two crew members who spotted me in the choppy waters and alerted the Master.”

Mooney was attempting to raise money for AIDS medicines and bring awareness of voluntary HIV testing. The rower has lost one brother to AIDS and another is HIV positive. In the near future, Mooney plans to visit Manila and thank the families of the crew for their love ones selfless act on the high seas.