U.S. Navy Assists in Rescue of 14 Indian Mariners in Northern Arabian Sea, Three Indian Mariners Killed in Separate Gulf of Oman Tanker Incident

NORTHERN ARABIAN SEA — On June 14, U.S. Navy assets responded to a distress call from 14 Indian mariners whose vessel was sinking due to engine failure roughly 80 nautical miles east of Ras Al Hadd, Oman, per the U.S. Navy release.

A P-8 maritime patrol aircraft arrived first, dropped a life raft, and monitored the crew. The merchant vessel M/V Jabal Ali 9 recovered 11 mariners from the raft.

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln rescued three more after the raft capsized in rough seas, all 14 reached the merchant vessel in good health and spirits.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Michael Murphy also responded. The distress vessel was identified as MSV Virat 1.

According to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, the distress call came in at approximately 2 a.m. EST.

The P-8 dropped search-and-rescue equipment including the life raft. Eleven mariners boarded it and were later recovered by M/V Jabal Ali 9.

The three who remained were rescued by the Sea Hawk after the raft capsized and flown to the same merchant vessel. No injuries occurred during the operation.

Separate Tanker Incident During Blockade Enforcement

In a separate incident on or about June 10, CENTCOM forces disabled the tanker MT Settebello by firing precision munitions into its engine room after the crew failed to comply with directions during enforcement of a blockade on Iranian oil shipments. Three Indian mariners aboard that vessel were killed, 21 others were rescued.

India summoned the U.S. deputy chief of mission and lodged a formal protest. Indian Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the three deaths and stated that the bodies would be repatriated.

CENTCOM stated that U.S. aircraft fired precision munitions into the ship’s engine room after the crew repeatedly failed to comply with directions from American forces because the vessel violated the ongoing blockade by attempting to transport oil from Iran.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated that the embassy in Oman is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation.

Official Statements

U.S. Naval Forces Central Command / U.S. 5th Fleet, June 14 release: “A U.S. Navy search and rescue helicopter assisted in the rescue of 14 Indian mariners in the Northern Arabian Sea, June 14. Upon receiving a distress call from the stranded mariners at approximately 2 a.m. EST, a U.S. Navy P-8 aircraft was first on scene, responded by dropping a search and rescue kit that included a life raft, which the 14 mariners boarded. Motor Vessel (M/V) Jabal Ali 9 subsequently arrived on scene and successfully recovered eleven crew members from the raft. An MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), rescued three additional mariners after their life raft capsized in the rough seas. The three mariners were transported to M/V Jabal Ali 9, where they were in good health and spirits.”

U.S. Central Command, June 14 post: “U.S. naval forces operating in the Middle East supported the rescue of 14 Indian mariners stranded in the Arabian Sea, June 14.”

Press Information Bureau, Government of India (June 10, 2026 release): “Indian authorities confirmed three Indian crew members died aboard the Palau-flagged MT Settebello after a U.S. strike in the Gulf of Oman and stated that the bodies would be repatriated. India lodged a formal protest with the United States over the incident.”

Press Information Bureau, Government of India (related rescue coordination): “Prompt action was taken, and all 24 Indian nationals were safely evacuated from the vessel. All of these Indian citizens are safe. Our embassy is closely monitoring the situation and proactively coordinating with the Omani authorities in the ongoing search and rescue operation.”