Indian Coast Guard rescues injured Iranian fisherman in mid-sea operation

New Delhi, October 28. The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) carried out a challenging long-range medical evacuation of a critically injured Iranian fisherman from a disabled fishing dhow in the Arabian Sea, around 1,500 km west of Kochi, Kerala.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence on October 28, the incident occurred after an explosion during fuel transfer to a generator on the dhow Al-Owais, leaving the fisherman with severe injuries to both eyes and deep lacerations on his right ear. The vessel, with five crew members onboard, had also suffered an engine failure, leaving it stranded in the high seas.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai received an alert from its Iranian counterpart, MRCC Chabahar, and swiftly activated the International Safety Net to coordinate assistance. ICG Ship Sachet, which was returning from an overseas deployment to East African countries, and MT STI Grace, a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker en route from Kuwait to Moroni, were tasked to respond.

The crew of STI Grace rendezvoused with Al-Owais and, under tele-medical guidance from ICG medical personnel, provided first aid and stabilised the injured fisherman. Subsequently, the patient was transferred to ICG Ship Sachet for further medical management.

The fisherman is currently receiving treatment onboard Sachet, which is heading towards Goa for additional medical procedures.

The operation demonstrated the ICG’s capability and commitment to maritime safety and humanitarian assistance beyond national borders, reinforcing its reputation as a reliable search and rescue agency in the Indian Ocean Region.