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
The Settebello incident occurred during active U.S. blockade enforcement operations targeting non-compliant vessels carrying Iranian oil.
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.
