Indian Navy answered a distress call from an Iranian fishing vessel and provided help to a Pakistani crew member. INS Sumedha, a warship deployed for anti-piracy operations in the Arabian Sea intercepted the fishing vessel, Al Rahmani, in the early hours of April 30, Indian Navy Spokesperson released a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
The ship's boarding team and medical specialists boarded the fishing vessel and provided medical assistance to the crew member, the statement said.
The Spokesperson stated, "In a swift response to a distress call, #INSSumedha, mission deployed for #antipiracy ops in the #ArabianSea provided critical medical assistance to an Iranian FV (with 20 Pakistani crew), for a near drowning case of one of its crew member."
"Responding swiftly to the distress call, INS Sumedha intercepted FV Al Rahmani in early hours of #30Apr 24. Ship's boarding team & medical specialists boarded the FV & rendered medical assistance to the crew member, who was experiencing laboured breathing with active seizures," it added.
The Indian Navy Spokesperson later added that the patient after receiving medical care was conscious and was feeling better.
"Post medical management, the patient was oriented, conscious and relieved clinically. Relentless efforts by mission deployed units of #IndianNavy symbolises its steadfast commitment towards safeguarding and assisting seafarers operating in the region," Indian Navy Spokesperson posted on X.
Previously, the Indian Navy has answered several such distress calls.
On April 28, Indian warship, INS Kochi responded to a maritime security incident after an attack on a merchant vessel by Houthi rebels. The incident involved an attack on Panama-flagged crude oil tanker Merchant Vessel (MV) Andromeda Star PM on April 26, in the Red Sea.
The Indian Navy ship intercepted a distressed oil tanker after an aerial recce was conducted by an Indian Navy helicopter to assess the situation. Further, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team was also deployed onboard the distressed vessel for residual risk assessment.
There were 30 crew – members 22 of whom were Indian nationals – they were said to be safe. The vessel moved to its planned transit to the next port without further incident.