December 5, 2024: In a remarkable display of cross-border cooperation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully rescued 12 crew members from a sunken vessel in the north Arabian Sea, following a joint operation with Pakistan's Maritime Security Agency (MSA). The incident unfolded early on Wednesday when the vessel, MSV Al Piranpir, sank due to rough seas and flooding while en route from Gujarat’s Porbandar to Bandar Abbas, Iran.

A distress call from the vessel was received by the Indian Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai. In response, the ICG quickly alerted its regional headquarters in Gandhinagar and dispatched ICG Ship Sarthak, which was on patrolling duties at the time. The ICG also informed Pakistan’s MSA, which promptly extended assistance by deploying an aircraft and notifying mariners in the vicinity.

The search and rescue operation was further supported by the merchant vessel MV Cosco Glory, which joined the efforts to locate the distressed crew. The 12 crew members had abandoned the sinking dhow and were found adrift in a dinghy, approximately 270 kilometers west of Dwarka, within Pakistan’s designated search and rescue zone.

After extensive search efforts, the crew was safely retrieved by ICGS Sarthak and provided medical care aboard the vessel. All crew members were reported to be in good health and were eventually transferred to Porbandar Harbour in Gujarat.

This successful rescue mission highlights the operational readiness of the Indian Coast Guard and the strong humanitarian spirit that guided the joint efforts.