Cimarron (AO 22 AO 177) - Naval Cruise Book

Page 47 text:

The exotic land of Subic Bay, Philip- pines. First port visit of Westpac. For many new crew members, this would be their first experience in a foreign country, for others, this would be like coming home. Olangapou, the city right outside the gates, is a continuous party. The San Miguel Beer is cheap and the music is loud. Every type of bar or bargain is available as you stroll down the crowded streets or rent a Jeepne , the Philippine taxi, and explore the outskirts. Mojo, lethal fruit punch, flowed through the night and took revenge in the morning on the unexperienced. One monkey did the same and bit an overly curious sailor. Many sailors took advantage of the incredible bar- gains. Too quickly, the three days in Subic passed and it was time to get under- way once again. The visit had every- one looking forward to the following port visits, especially, the retum to Subic Bay, Philippines!!!!! 43

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Refugee Rescue On the 25th of July, CIMARROn came across a small boat with 25 people on it - including eight children. They had an SOS sign posted. We put our small boat in the water and tioarded their junk. The one who spoke a little Eng- lish said they were refugees and need- ed help. They ' d been underway for three days (we found them about 300 miles south of Vietnam). They did not have much fuel left, and very little food or water, so the Captain said, Bring em aboard. The refugees were our guests for a few days, until we received permission to take them into Singapore. While the rest of the battlegroup continued on towards Diego Garcia, ClMARROFi made a two-day stop in Singapore.