Coast Guard rescues 6 crew onboard Oman vessel

The Indian coast guard has rescued six crew members on board an Oman vessel Sakar-7, about 160 nautical miles off Porbandar coast in the Arabian sea.

The incident took place on Sunday, when the vessel that was drifting for last 11 days due to technical snag in the engine, entered into Indian territory and was spotted by coast guard aircraft on routine patrol in Arabian sea, an official release said.

After the ICG aircraft sighted the vessel adrift about 162 NM south west of Porbandar on August 19, it sent an investigation call to it, which was responded in a suspicious manner, the release said.

ICGS Vijit, which was patrolling close to Dwarka, was diverted towards the suspected vessel, while the coast guard aircraft continued surveillance on the vessel, and merchant ships transiting through the area were cautioned about the vessel.

The coast guard officers from Vijit took control of the ship on August 20 and interrogated all the six crew members on board the vessel of Sultanate of Oman. "It was found that the vessel Sakar-7 of Sultanate of Oman with six crew on board (one Oman and five Yemen) was drifting due to technical snag in the engine for the last 11 days on the high seas," it said.

Due to prevailing weather and currents, the vessel was drifting in an easterly direction and entered Indian waters.

"The enhanced air and surface surveillance efforts of the ICG resulted in timely detection of this drifting vessel which required immediate assistance," it added.

The coast guard ship Vijit had towed the vessel and reached Porbandar on Monday for further handing over formalities, the ICG release said.