The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) joined hands to rescue 12 Indian crew members from the sunken vessel MSV Al Piranpir in the North Arabian Sea on December 4. This cross-border humanitarian mission highlighted seamless coordination between the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) of both countries.

The rescue operation unfolded after the mechanized sailing vessel, which had departed Porbandar in Gujarat on December 2, sank due to rough seas and flooding during its journey to Bandar Abbas, Iran. The vessel went down outside Indian waters, within Pakistan’s Search and Rescue (SAR) region.

Responding to the distress call received by MRCC Mumbai, the ICG's Regional Headquarters (North West) in Gandhinagar promptly diverted the patrol ship ICGS Sarthak to the site, located approximately 270 kilometers west of Dwarka.

In a statement shared on social media, the Indian Coast Guard said, "ICGS Sarthak successfully rescued 12 Indian crew members of the sunken dhow Al Piranpir. This humanitarian mission saw close collaboration with PMSA, with both MRCCs coordinating and a PMSA aircraft assisting in the search for survivors. Rescued crew are being brought back to Porbandar."

The search operation involved not only the Indian Coast Guard and PMSA but also merchant vessel MV Cosco Glory, which assisted in locating the survivors. The crew, who had abandoned the sinking vessel and taken refuge in a dinghy, were rescued in good health and are now en route to Porbandar Harbour in Gujarat for further assistance.

This successful mission exemplifies international maritime cooperation and follows another recent rescue by the ICG in November, where 10 individuals, including six fishermen, were saved from an offshore jetty amid adverse weather in Tamil Nadu.