Pakistan Navy rescues nine Indian seamen stuck in tug en route to Sharjah

This screengrab, taken from a handout video released by the Pakistan Navy, shows a disabled tug carrying nine Indian seamen en route to Sharjah on February 5, 2024. The Pakistan Navy says it has rescued nine Indian seamen who were stranded in the tug. (Photo courtesy: Pakistan Navy)

• The vessel had been disabled for the last few days near the Indian coast after a failure of its electric generators
• Apart from technical assistance, Pakistan Navy says it provided medical facilities, water and meals to fatigued crew

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Navy, together with the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), rescued nine Indian seamen who were stranded in a disabled tug that had been en route to Sharjah, the Pakistan Navy said on Monday.
The vessel, Ocean Tug SAS-5 registered at St. Kitts & Nevis, had been disabled for the last few days near the Indian coast after a failure of its electric generators at a position 167 nautical miles southeast of the Pakistani port city of Karachi, according to Pakistan Navy.
On Sunday, the Pakistan Navy’s Joint Maritime Information and Coordination Center (JMICC) received a distress signal from the vessel, which began its voyage from the Indian port of Debhol on Feb. 1 and was headed to Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Pakistan Navy said it generated a response in coordination with the PMSA to initiate a search and rescue operation to provide assistance to the stranded tug.
“Initially, PN Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft was tasked to locate the tug at sea followed by a Search and Rescue operation by Pakistan Maritime Security Ship (PMSS) KASHMIR which was deployed on routine Maritime Security Operations in the area,” the Pakistan Navy said in a statement.
“Upon reaching the distressed Tug, PMSS KASHMIR secured the Tug alongside and after three hours of strenuous repair efforts the defect was rectified.”
Apart from technical assistance, medical facilities, fresh water and meals were also provided to the fatigued crew and the tug successfully resumed its voyage toward the next port of call in Sharjah, according to the Pakistan Navy.
The professional and timely response by Pakistan Navy and the PMSA assets was highly acknowledged and lauded by the salvaged crew of the vessel.
The Pakistan Navy says it remains vigilant to contribute to ensuring the safety of life at sea through sustained presence and monitoring of activities, besides ensuring its combat readiness at all times.