The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) carried out a long-range medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) of a critically injured Iranian fisherman from a fishing dhow, Al-Owais, stranded about 1,500 km west of Kochi, Kerala, in the Arabian Sea.
According to officials, the fisherman had sustained serious injuries to both eyes and deep lacerations on his right ear following an explosion that occurred during a fuel transfer operation to the vessel’s generator. The dhow, with five crew members on board, was left disabled after its engine failed in mid-sea.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai received an alert from MRCC Chabahar, Iran, about the medical emergency and swiftly activated the International Safety Net to mobilize assistance from nearby ships.
The ICG directed ICG Ship Sachet, which was returning from an overseas deployment to East African countries, and the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker MT STI Grace, en route from Kuwait to Moroni, to render immediate aid. Upon reaching Al-Owais, the crew of MT STI Grace provided tele-medical first aid and stabilization under the guidance of ICG medical personnel.
Subsequently, the injured fisherman was transferred to ICG Ship Sachet for further medical management. The Coast Guard ship is now proceeding towards Goa, where the patient will undergo additional treatment upon arrival.
The complex and challenging operation, carried out deep in the Arabian Sea, highlights the ICG’s unwavering commitment to maritime safety, humanitarian assistance, and international cooperation. The mission also reaffirms India’s status as a credible and dependable maritime search and rescue agency in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).