Vessel with 14 Indian nationals onboard suffers engine failure off Oman coast, US Navy extends assistance

PTC News Desk: All 14 Indian crew members aboard the Indian-flagged merchant vessel Virat 1 were rescued after the ship suffered an engine failure off the coast of Oman, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said on Sunday.

The vessel reportedly developed a mechanical problem while sailing near Oman, forcing the crew to abandon the ship. The sailors boarded a liferaft as rescue operations were launched.

The emergency response began after the US Navy alerted local authorities and the Indian Navy that a dhow carrying 14 Indian crew members was in danger of sinking about 80 nautical miles east of Ras al Hadd.

In a statement posted on social media, the embassy said that search and rescue operations were being coordinated with Omani authorities and nearby vessels. "It has emerged that the vessel experienced an engine failure, and the crew eventually transferred safely to a liferaft. A rescue operation is presently underway through ships in the vicinity, under the coordination of Omani authorities," the embassy said.

A US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft played a key role in the rescue by dropping a liferaft and monitoring the crew as they safely boarded it. The aircraft also requested assistance from the merchant vessel MV Jabal Ali 9, sailing from Sohar to Mumbai, which reached the area and helped with the rescue operation.

The Indian Embassy in Muscat said it closely monitored the situation and coordinated with local authorities to ensure the safety of all crew members. All 14 sailors were successfully evacuated without any reported injuries.