Tanzanian-flagged passenger ferry Spice Island in international waters off the coast of Somalia, Sept. 26, in an area known for piracy, after the crew from USS Stout (DDG 55) rendered engineering assistance. Spice Island, which was carrying no passengers, hailed for help when it ran out of fuel while transiting from Oman to Tanzania. Stout provided the ferry?s crew with food, water and fuel and helped get the vessel steaming under its own power. Coalition forces have a long-standing tradition of helping mariners in distress by providing medical assistance, engineering assistance and search and rescue efforts. Stout, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is deployed to the region with the USS Enterprise Carrier Strike Group, but is currently operating in the Indian Ocean as part of Combined Task Force 150.