NEW DELHI, June 30 — The Indian Navy deployed its stealth frigate INS Tabar to respond to a major fire on board a Palau-flagged merchant vessel in the Gulf of Oman, a Navy spokesperson said on Monday. The tanker, MT Yi Cheng 6, had issued a distress call after its engine room caught fire and a total power failure left the ship adrift.
“The vessel with 14 crew members of Indian origin, transiting from Kandla in Gujarat to Shinas in Oman, experienced a major fire in the engine room and total power failure on board,” the spokesperson said in an official statement.
INS Tabar, which is currently on operational deployment in the region, was quick to act after receiving the distress call on Sunday. Naval fire-fighting teams were transferred aboard the stricken ship using the frigate’s ship’s boat and helicopter.
“Thirteen Indian naval personnel, along with five crew members from the tanker, are currently engaged in onboard fire-fighting operations,” the spokesperson said in a post on social media. “The intensity of the fire has been drastically reduced.”
The Navy’s prompt intervention potentially averted a larger maritime disaster in the strategically sensitive waters of the Gulf of Oman, often traversed by commercial shipping.
Officials said efforts were underway to stabilize the vessel and ensure the safety of its crew, all of whom are reported to be safe as of the latest updates.
The Navy reiterated its commitment to maintaining maritime safety and responding swiftly to emergencies in the region.
