The US Navy on Sunday (June 14) successfully coordinated the rescue of 14 Indian sailors after an Indian-flagged dhow began sinking in the Arabian sea, approximately 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd off the eastern coast of Oman.
No immediate reports of any injuries to the 14 sailors have been reported so far.
US responds to distress call
According to reports, the US Navy’s P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft swiftly responded to the distress call aboard Indian vessel MSV Virat 1 by dropping a life raft near the dhow and monitoring the evacuation of those on board.
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After that the US Navy sought assistance from the St Kitts and Nevis-flagged MV Jabal Ali 9 in the operation. The latter vessel, which had departed from Sohar in Oman and was bound for Mumbai, is reportedly in the vicinity of the dhow.
Embassy blames engine failure
The Indian Embassy in Oman has confirmed the incident in a post on Xstating that a search and rescue operation is being conducted in coordination with the Omani authorities.
“The Mission has learnt of an incident involving an Indian Flagged Mechanised Sailing Vessel Virat 1, off the coast of Oman, reportedly embarked with 14 Indian crew. Search and Rescue is being coordinated with the Omani authorities and vessels in the vicinity of the incident,” the Indian Embassy in Oman said.
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In another post, the embassy said that the Indian-flagged vessel had experienced an engine failure, following which the crew was rescued to a life raft.
Reports said that the Indian Navy has also been alerted of the incident as part of standard maritime protocols for incidents involving Indian nationals.
The incident comes at a time when commercial shipping lanes near Oman and the Strait of Hormuz are facing disruptions due to the conflict in the Middle East.
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