The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) on Wednesday rescued 12 crew members of a merchant ship that sank in the North Arabian Sea during its voyage from Porbandar in Gujarat to Bandar Abbas port in Iran, the ICG said. Released on Thursday.
The MSV Al Piranpir sank on Wednesday outside Indian waters in Pakistan’s search and rescue zone, the statement said. The Indian Coast Guard conducted the rescue operation in collaboration with Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and “Humanitarian Search and Rescue Maritime Rescue Coordination Centers (MRCCs)).
“The mechanized vessel, which left Porbandar and was bound for Bandar Abbas port in Iran, reportedly sank on the morning of December 4 due to rough seas and flooding,” the statement said. The distress call was received by the ICG’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Mumbai, which alerted the ICG Regional Headquarters (North West) at Gandhinagar.
Indian Coast Guard vessel ICGS Sarthak was immediately diverted to the reported location. MRCC Pakistan was also contacted to alert the sailors in the area, and their assistance was provided immediately, the statement said.
“ICGS Sarthak proceeded at maximum speed to the possible location and conducted an extensive search operation. The 12 crew members, who abandoned their ship and took shelter in a small dinghy, were located about 270 km west of Dwarka within Pakistan’s search and rescue zone and were rescued,” ICG said.