Indian-Flagged Dhow Sinks Off Oman After Engine Failure, All 14 Crew Rescued

All 14 Indian crew members aboard the Indian-flagged mechanised sailing vessel (MSV) Virat 1 were rescued after the vessel suffered an engine failure and later sank off the coast of Oman on June 14.

The incident took place about 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd, Oman.

According to the Embassy of India in Muscat, the vessel experienced an engine failure, forcing the crew to abandon ship and transfer to a liferaft before rescue operations were launched.

In an initial statement, the embassy said it had learned of an incident involving Virat 1, which was reportedly carrying 14 Indian crew members.

The mission added that search and rescue efforts were being coordinated with Omani authorities and vessels operating near the incident area.

Later, the embassy confirmed that the vessel had suffered an engine failure and that all crew members had safely transferred to a life raft.

“Rescue operation involving Indian Flagged MSV Virat 1 has been successfully completed. All 14 crew members have been rescued and are presently onboard Jabal Ali 9 heading to Mumbai. The crew members are safe and in good health,” the embassy said in a subsequent update.

Per reports, a US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft responded after authorities were informed that the vessel was in distress.

The aircraft reportedly dropped a life raft near the vessel and monitored the evacuation of the crew.

The US Navy also coordinated assistance from the nearby merchant vessel Jabal Ali 9, a St Kitts and Nevis-flagged ship, which later rescued the crew members.

According to sources cited by media reports, the crew boarded the life raft after the vessel began to sink.

The exact cause of the sinking has not been officially confirmed, although sources said the incident originated from a mechanical or engine failure.

Virat 1 was reported to be approximately 50 metres long and 12 metres wide.

Mechanised sailing vessels, commonly known as dhows, are often operated from Mumbai and Mandvi and typically transport small cargoes, including perishable goods, between India and Gulf countries.

All 14 rescued crew members are currently aboard Jabal Ali 9 and are en route to Mumbai. No injuries or fatalities have been reported.

Authorities have not released further details on the circumstances surrounding the vessel’s sinking.

References: The Hindu, Indian Express