Miraculously, they were rescued by an Indian warship named INS Teg, thereby saving nine people, including eight Indians and one Sri Lankan, when an oil tanker capsized near the coast of Oman. The occurrence was roughly twenty-five Nautical miles in the Southeast of Ras Madrakah near the port city of Duqm.
When the tragedy occurred, the MT Falcon Prestige, an oil tanker flying the Comoros’ flag, was in the middle of its journey toward Yemen’s Aden port. The supply vessel, 117 meters long and constructed in 2007, established a distress signal around 10:00 PM on July 15 when it was caught in unfavourable conditions.
The Indian Navy promptly reacted and sent one of its warships, INS Teg, along with Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft P8I, which continues to play a role in the present search and rescue operations.
Navigating through and surviving storms that have contributed to torrential rains, harsh wind, and rough seas has been difficult, but the Indian forces have not waned in their search for the remaining seven crew members.
It has left the maritime industry reeling, as the Comoros-flagged oil tanker, which was attacked, was passing through a very important route near major oil and gas mining projects of Oman inclusive of a very large refinery that forms part of DuQM industrial zone- a major socio-economic initiative of Oman.
The Indian Embassy in Oman has been in touch with the Oman authorities, and the search and rescue operation is being carried out by the Oman Maritime Security Centre. The monitor, where the ship’s last known location is indicated, as well as the seven crew members, including three Sri Lankan nationals, still on board the boat, are currently the main aims of activists.
Thus, the maritime community and the countries concerned are waiting for the joyful message of the saved crew members – the true appreciation of the Indian Navy and the Omani side about this tragic navigation tragedy on the sea.
