Why the Blue Marlin Was Nearby.

• Position: USS Cole attack rescue - Brief Article

The M/V Blue Marlin--the heavy transport ship that gave the injured destroyer USS Cole a ride home for repairs after the deadly terrorist attack in Yemen--had just arrived in the Persian Gulf to deliver two U.S. Navy coastal mine-hunting ships (MHC) to Bahrain, Navy officials explained.

Mine countermeasures ships are deployed routinely around the world to provide coverage for U.S. naval forces, and...