Falmouth Coastguard and Royal Navy Make Rescue in Arabian Sea
Falmouth Coastguard successfully coordinated the rescue of 13 Indian crewmen from a disabled tanker in the North Arabian Gulf, after crew members contacted Falmouth Coastguard to report that they had been stranded for several days and crew were beginning to fall ill.
Pictured: Royal Navy helicopter undertaking winching operations.
On the morning of the 29th June, Falmouth Coastguard received an emailed mayday from the master on board the Motor Tanker Pavit, reporting that they had suffered engine failure two days before and were taking on water through the shaft bearing. They also reported that, in the severe weather conditions, many of the crew were suffering from seasickness, with four of them considered to be seriously ill. Their stated position was 120 nautical miles from the Oman coast.
Falmouth Coastguard initially sent out a broadcast to other vessels in the area, but with the severe weather on scene, none were able to go to the aid of the tanker. Falmouth Coastguard also attempted to hand over coordination to the Omani Coastguard but they were unable take on coordination of the incident
After liaison with the owners of the vessel, the crew on board and the Middle East Authorities, Falmouth Coastguard were able to arrange for a Royal Navy Warship – HMS St Albans and an Indian products tanker (Jag Pushpa) to go to their aid, which arrived at 8.00 am yesterday morning.
HMS St Albans arrived on scene yesterday morning and utilising their helicopter winched the crew off the Pavit and transferred them over to the Jag Pushpa, where a doctor from St Albans had been placed to offer medical assistance.
The Jag Pushpa has agreed to take the crew members and repatriate them back to India.
Ian Guy, Watch Manager, Falmouth Coastguard said:
This was a desperate situation for the crewmen on board, who had been without engines for three days in severe weather conditions, and reported that several crew members had fallen seriously ill.
Falmouth Coastguard has spent two days working with the Middle Eastern authorities to try and send aid to the stranded vessel, and are pleased that working with the Royal Navy, this has been achieved.
Source: Department for Transport UK