Twelve crew members of the sunken Indian vessel MSV Al Piranpir in the North Arabian Sea were rescued in the wee hours of December 4.

In close collaboration with the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (MSA), the Indian coast guard (ICG) rescued the seafarers in the North Arabian Sea.

The mechanized sailing vessel (dhow) Al Piranpir had departed from Porbandar and was en route to Bandar Abbas, Iran.

It reportedly sank in the morning hours of December 4 due to rough seas and flooding.

The distress call was received by ICG’s MRCC Mumbai, which promptly alerted ICG Regional Headquarters (North West) in Gandhinagar and ICG ship Sarthak was immediately diverted to the reported location.

MRCC Pakistan was also contacted to alert mariners in the area, and their assistance was swiftly provided, ICG said.

ICGS Sarthak, which was deployed for forward area patrolling, proceeded at maximum speed to the probable location and conducted an extensive search operation.

According to ICG, the 12 crew members, who had abandoned their vessel and taken refuge in a small dinghy, were located, and rescued approximately 270 km west of Dwarka, within Pakistan’s search and rescue region.

The search for survivors was supported by a Pakistan MSA aircraft and the merchant ship MV Cosco Glory, ICG added.

The rescued crew members were examined by the medical team on-board ICGS Sarthak and were reported to be in good health. They are being transported back to Porbandar Harbour, Gujarat.