Pakistan Navy assists distressed vessel carrying Indian and Indonesian crew in Arabian Sea

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy launched a humanitarian rescue operation in the Arabian Sea to assist a merchant vessel that developed a fault at sea, according to security sources.

Security sources said the vessel, MV Gautam, was travelling from Oman to India when it suffered a technical problem during the voyage. They said the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Mumbai contacted Pakistani authorities and sought assistance after the incident.

Following the request, the Pakistan Navy deployed PNS Kashmir, a ship of the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, to carry out the operation, security sources said.

According to the same sources, emergency assistance is being provided to seven crew members aboard the vessel, including six Indian nationals and one Indonesian national. They said the affected crew members are receiving food, medical support and technical assistance onboard.

Security sources said the Pakistan Navy remains prepared to respond to emergencies at sea and is committed to carrying out such operations effectively.

Recent rescue operation in North Arabian Sea

The development follows another rescue mission conducted by the Pakistan Navy earlier in April in the North Arabian Sea.

In a statement at the time, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said PNS Hunain carried out a search and rescue operation after receiving a distress call from merchant vessel Gold Autumn, which was operating 200 nautical miles, or about 370 kilometres, off Pakistan’s coast.

The ship's team of specialists provided medical aid, assisted in firefighting, carried out damage assessment, and successfully rescued the crew.

the ISPR had said.

According to the military’s media wing, 18 crew members were rescued and evacuated from the vessel. The crew included nationals of China, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Vietnam and Indonesia.

The ISPR said the evacuated crew members were transported to Karachi for medical treatment and repatriation to their respective countries.

Security sources said the Pakistan Navy has conducted a number of rescue and evacuation missions in regional waters in recent years, particularly involving distressed merchant ships and fishing boats, as part of its maritime safety responsibilities.