Indian Merchant Vessel Narrowly Escapes Drone Strike in Arabian Sea

An Indian merchant vessel with 20 crew members onboard narrowly avoided a catastrophic incident when a suspected drone struck it off the Porbandar coast in the Arabian Sea. Despite the attack, there were no reported casualties. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard swiftly responded to the situation, ensuring the safety of the vessel and its crew.

A merchant vessel carrying around 20 Indian crew members was struck by a suspected drone approximately 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast in the Arabian Sea on Saturday. Fortunately, no casualties have been reported as a result of the incident, according to Indian military sources and a maritime security agency.

Heightened Tensions in the Region

This incident occurs amidst heightened tensions in the region, as Iran-backed Houthi rebels have intensified attacks on ships in the Red Sea during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The attack on the merchant vessel, named MV Chem Pluto, was reported by the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), prompting the Indian Navy to deploy a P-8I long-range maritime surveillance aircraft to assess the situation.

Ensuring the Safety of the Crew

The Indian Navy and Coast Guard swiftly responded to the incident, ensuring the safety of the vessel and its crew. The P-8I aircraft ascertained that there were no casualties and established communication with MV Chem Pluto. The Indian Coast Guard deployed a Dornier aircraft to sanitize the area and provide assistance. The vessel initiated damage assessment and repairs to its power generation systems before setting course towards Mumbai.

Assistance and Escort Provided

Due to steering issues, MV Chem Pluto sought escort assistance during its journey to Mumbai. The Indian Coast Guard Ship Vikram was assigned to escort the vessel, while the Coast Guard Operations Centre closely monitored the situation. Earlier, the Indian Navy had dispatched a frontline warship to offer additional support.

Details of the Attack

According to the UKMTO, an Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) was responsible for the attack, causing an explosion and fire onboard the vessel. The incident occurred approximately 200 nautical miles southwest of Veraval, India. The fire was successfully extinguished, and fortunately, there were no casualties.

Background Information

MV Chem Pluto, sailing under a Liberian flag, was transporting crude oil from Al Jubail port in Saudi Arabia to New Mangalore port in India. The Coast Guard's Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai received information about the fire onboard the vessel and immediately established communication with the vessel's agent. The MRCC confirmed that there was no loss of life and assured all necessary assistance. Nearby merchant vessels were diverted to provide additional support.

Response from Indian Authorities

Following the incident, the Indian Navy dispatched a maritime patrol aircraft to assess the situation and establish contact with the merchant vessel. The aircraft confirmed the safety of the crew. It was reported that MV Chem Pluto switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) after the attack, which typically enables tracking of a ship.

UKMTO's Involvement

The UKMTO, a British military organization, received a report of the attack and is currently investigating the incident. They advise vessels to exercise caution while transiting the area and report any suspicious activities. The UKMTO serves as a primary point of contact for merchant vessels involved in maritime incidents, sharing information with regional and national contacts, as well as industry and vessels operating in the area.

Recent Indian Navy Operations

The Indian Navy's prompt response to this incident follows their recent successful intervention in the hijacking of a Malta-flagged cargo vessel by pirates in the Arabian Sea. The hijacking was reported on December 14, and days later, the Navy evacuated one of the 18 crew members who was injured by the pirates, providing him with medical care.