A Rescue Beyond Reach: ICG Saves Iranian Fisherman
Kochi: In a high-seas operation that blended precision with humanitarian resolve, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) executed a long-range medical evacuation of a critically injured Iranian fisherman from a disabled fishing dhow nearly 1,500 kilometres west of Kochi, Kerala. The operation, conducted in coordination with multiple maritime rescue agencies, reaffirmed India’s expanding role as a dependable responder in the Indian Ocean Region.
The fishing dhow Al-Owais suffered an onboard explosion during a routine fuel transfer to its generator, leaving one Iranian crew member with severe eye injuries and deep lacerations on his right ear. The five-member crew was stranded in the Arabian Sea after the vessel’s engine failed, drifting in open waters far beyond standard rescue range.
The distress signal was first relayed by Iran’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Chabahar to MRCC Mumbai, which promptly activated the International Safety Net — an emergency global communication link for ships and rescue authorities. The ICG directed its offshore patrol vessel Sachet, returning from an overseas deployment to East African nations, to respond immediately. Simultaneously, MT STI Grace, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker en route from Kuwait to Moroni, was guided toward the stranded dhow.
Under remote medical supervision from ICG specialists, the tanker’s crew administered tele-medical first aid and stabilised the injured fisherman before coordinating a complex mid-sea patient transfer to ICG Ship Sachet. The fisherman is now under continuous care aboard Sachet, which is sailing towards Goa for advanced medical procedures.
Officials said the operation showcased exceptional coordination between international rescue systems, civilian mariners, and ICG personnel, reflecting the Coast Guard’s operational readiness and humanitarian ethos.
“The challenging rescue underscores the Indian Coast Guard’s unwavering commitment to saving lives beyond national boundaries,” a Defence Ministry statement said, describing it as an affirmation of India’s credibility as a regional maritime safety provider.
The mission adds to a growing list of Indian humanitarian interventions at sea — a record that continues to define New Delhi’s maritime diplomacy through compassion and capability, according to the Ministry of Defence.
– global bihari bureau
