Pakistan Navy Assists Stranded Indian Vessel in Arabian Sea After SOS Alert

Crew of seven, including six Indians, provided food, medical aid and technical support following generator failure onboard MV Gautam.

The Pakistan Navy carried out a rescue and support operation for an Indian vessel stranded in the Arabian Sea after receiving a distress alert, highlighting maritime cooperation in emergency situations.

The vessel, MV Gautam, suffered a critical technical failure due to a generator malfunction while en route from Oman to India, leaving it adrift at sea. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mumbai alerted authorities in Islamabad, prompting a swift response.

A Pakistan Navy ship, PMSS Kashmir, was deployed to assist the stranded vessel. The crew—comprising six Indian nationals and one Indonesian—was provided with essential supplies including food, medical assistance, and technical support to stabilise the situation and ensure their safety.

The operation was conducted with support from the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), whose personnel boarded the vessel to assess the damage. The ship’s main generator was found to be beyond repair.

According to Indian sources, the vessel had experienced total power failure on May 3 and was initially located within Pakistan’s Search and Rescue Region before drifting toward Indian waters. Communication was limited, with only basic systems functioning on battery backup.

The Indian Coast Guard also responded by deploying a vessel to the area and coordinating further assistance. Authorities have advised the ship’s owners to arrange towing support, as the vessel remains without propulsion and poses a navigational hazard.

The incident underscores the importance of regional maritime coordination and adherence to international protocols in ensuring the safety of seafarers, even amid broader geopolitical tensions.