The Indian Embassy in Oman informed on Sunday that it has learnt of an “incident” involving an Indian-flagged MSV ‘Virat 1’, off the coast of Oman. There were 14 Indian crew members on board. Meanwhile, a major rescue operation was reportedly launched.
The situation unfolded approximately 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd, Oman, on the morning of June 14. The rescue operation was launched off the coast of Oman after the dhow began sinking on Sunday.
Indian Embassy in Oman says…
In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Indian Embassy in Oman stated, “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 vicinity of the incident.”
Following this, news agency ANI reported, citing sources, that the Indian-flagged MSV Virat 1 dhow sank due to a ‘mechanical failure.’
Rescue operation
Upon receiving information that the vessel was in danger, the US Navy alerted shore authorities to launch the emergency response, citing sources, ANI reported.
In a swift rescue manoeuvre, a US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft responded to the crisis by dropping a life raft near the vessel and monitoring the evacuation of those onboard.
The US Navy also coordinated surface assistance from a nearby merchant vessel, MV Jabal Ali 9, a St Kitts and Nevis-flagged ship. Following these measures, the crew members embarked onto the life raft after the dhow reportedly started sinking.
Maritime corridor
The incident occurred in a maritime corridor that has gained heightened strategic significance lately due to friction surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which remains one of the world’s most vital naval chokepoints.
The successful emergency rescue comes at a juncture when commercial shipping lanes and international maritime operations near Oman and the broader Strait of Hormuz continue to encounter persistent disruptions linked to the wider conflict in the Middle East.
Earlier, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday summoned US Charge d’Affaires Jason Meeks to lodge India’s strong protest against the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian seafarers in the Gulf of Oman.
It was stressed that Washington’s actions are “unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce” in a sensitive region.
“A strong protest was lodged with him regarding the continuing attacks by US naval forces on commercial vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, which have already resulted in the tragic and avoidable loss of three Indian lives,” the MEA said in a statement.
“The Ministry once again conveyed its deep concern over the use of lethal and deadly force against civilian shipping. Such actions are unacceptable and undermine the safety, security and stability of international maritime commerce in a sensitive region at a difficult time,” it added.
The Ministry said that the US Charge d’Affaires was requested to convey New Delhi’s concerns to Washington authorities and ensure that US forces operating in the region take all necessary measures to stop the loss of civilian life.
This marked the second time that the MEA has summoned the US official in recent days over the attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf of Oman.
Earlier on Wednesday, India had also summoned the US Charge d’Affaires to lodge a “strong protest” over recent attacks on commercial vessels off the coast of Oman, including the commercial ship ‘Settebello’, where three Indian seafarers were killed.
On Wednesday, an attack was reported on a commercial vessel, ‘Settebello’, off the coast of Oman. Of the 24 Indian crew members onboard the vessel, 21 were rescued while three others were killed.
