– Captain of merchant vessel thanks Navy for swift response to distress call
– Captain of merchant ship expresses gratitude to Navy for prompt assistance in distress situation.
Indian Navy Extinugishes Fire on Merchant Vessel Struck by Missile
Captain Avinash Rawat, the master of the merchant vessel, expressed his gratitude towards the Indian Navy for their swift response in extinguishing the fire that broke out on his ship following a missile strike. In the wake of the attack, the vessel was engulfed in massive flames, leaving the crew in despair. However, the Indian warship INS Visakhapatnam came to their rescue, providing them with a glimmer of hope.
Captain Rawat expressed his admiration for the Indian Navy’s exceptional firefighting skills, stating, “We had lost all hope, but these guys went above and beyond to help us out.” The crew of the merchant vessel was immensely grateful for the Navy’s extraordinary efforts.
Indian Navy Responds Promptly to Distress Signal
Last Saturday, the Indian missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam swiftly responded to a distress signal from the MV Marlin Luanda, a merchant vessel attacked by Iranian-backed Houthis in the Gulf of Aden. The oil tanker, operated by UK-based Oceonix Services, fell victim to the Houthi rebels on Friday, marking yet another attack on commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea regions.
In a statement, the Indian Navy announced, “Based on a request from MV Marlin Luanda, INS Visakhapatnam deployed its NBCD (nuclear biological chemical defence and damage control) team along with firefighting equipment to assist the crew in combating the fire on board.” The merchant vessel was manned by 22 Indian sailors and one Bangladeshi crew member.
Successful Firefighting Efforts by the Indian Navy
Commander Vivek Madhwal, spokesperson for the Indian Navy, revealed that after six hours of relentless firefighting alongside the crew of MV Marlin Luanda, the fire was successfully brought under control. The Indian Naval firefighting team worked diligently to ensure that there was no chance of the fire reigniting, closely monitoring the situation.
This is not the first time INS Visakhapatnam has come to the aid of distressed vessels. Just last week, the Indian Navy intercepted a cargo vessel that had been struck by a drone in the Gulf of Aden, rescuing 22 crew members, including nine Indians. Additionally, on January 5, the Navy successfully prevented the hijacking of the MV Lila Norfolk in the North Arabian Sea, ensuring the safety of the entire crew.
The Indian Navy’s swift and effective response in various maritime emergencies demonstrates their commitment to safeguarding the lives and well-being of seafarers.
(With inputs from agencies)
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– Captain of merchant vessel expresses gratitude to Navy for prompt response to distress call
– Merchant vessel captain thanks Navy for quick assistance in distress situation.
