US Sailor Assumed Overboard Found Alive On Ship Almost A Week Later

A U.S. Navy sailor whom authorities assumed had fallen overboard from the USS Shiloh was found alive aboard the ship almost a week later, officials said.

The sailor was reported missing and assumed overboard on June 8. Navy officials announced at the time that they were suspending the search for the missing sailor, which lasted more than 50 hours and covered more than 5,000 miles in the Philippine Sea. The sailor was assumed overboard while the ship was conducting routine operations about 180 miles east of Okinawa, Japan.

However, on Thursday, Navy officials said that the soldier, identified as Petty Officer 3rd Class Peter Mims, was found alive aboard the ship. Sources told the Navy Times that Mims, 23, hid himself in one of the ship's engine rooms.

The sailor, who served as a gas turbine systems technician, will be transferred to the USS Ronald Reagan for a medical evaluation, and following that a recommendation will be made on follow-on care.

Mims is from Interlachen, Florida, located about an hour and a half south of Jacksonville.

Local news channel Action News Jax spoke with Mims' family, who expressed gratitude that Mims was alive. Mims' sister, Amy James, did not comment on her brother's mental or physical state but told the news channel the family was relieved.

“I would love to go see him and wrap my arms around him and never let go,” James said.

“We are thankful to have found our missing shipmate and appreciate all the hard work of our Sailors and Japanese partners in searching for him,” Rear Adm. Charles Williams said in a statement. “I am relieved that this Sailor’s family will not be joining the ranks of Gold Star Families that have sacrificed so much for our country.”

The Navy said the circumstances surrounding Mims' disappearance are under investigation.

Image Credit: Naval Surface Warriors via Flickr Creative Commons

Watch: A Missing US Navy Sailor Was Found Hiding On His Ship After 7 Days