Indian Vessel Virat 1 Sinks Off Oman Coast, All 14 Crew Rescued

India-flagged mechanised sailing vessel (MSV) Virat 1 sank off the coast of Oman on Sunday after suffering a mechanical failure, prompting a major rescue operation involving Omani authorities, the US navy and nearby commercial vessels.

The incident occurred around 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd, Oman, on the morning of June 14.

Virat 1, which had 14 Indian crew members on board, reportedly experienced an engine failure before beginning to take on water and eventually sink.

After receiving information that the vessel was in distress, the US Navy alerted shore authorities and launched an emergency response.

A US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft was deployed to the area, where it dropped a life raft near the vessel and monitored the evacuation of the crew, as reported by ANI.

The US Navy also coordinated assistance from MV Jabal Ali 9, a St Kitts and Nevis-flagged merchant vessel operating nearby.

The crew members subsequently transferred to the life raft as Virat 1 began sinking.

Confirming the incident, the Indian Embassy in Muscat said: “The Mission has learnt of an incident involving an Indian Flagged Mechanised Sailing Vessel Virat 1, off the coast of Oman, reportedly embarked with 14 Indian crew. Search and Rescue is being coordinated with the Omani authorities and vessels in vicinity of the incident.”

In a later update, the embassy said: “It has emerged that the vessel experienced an engine failure, and the crew eventually transferred safely to a life raft. Rescue operation is presently underway through ships in vicinity, under coordination of Omani authorities.”

The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) later confirmed that all 14 seafarers were safely accounted for.

According to the DGS, the crew's safety was secured through swift emergency response measures and close coordination with Omani authorities, the Indian Embassy in Oman, and other maritime stakeholders.

"The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) confirms that all 14 Indian seafarers aboard MSV VIRAT-1 have been safely accounted for following the vessel's sinking approximately 80 nautical miles off Ras Al Hadd, Oman. Swift emergency response procedures, continuous coordination with Omani authorities, the Embassy of India in Oman, and maritime stakeholders ensured the safety of the crew. DGS remains committed to the safety, security, and welfare of Indian seafarers and continues to monitor the situation closely," the DGS said in a statement.