SCI Tanker Crew Rescues Seafarers in Gulf of Oman

SCI Seven Indian seafarers from the dhow FRTK-1 have been rescued by the crew of the 158,030 dwt Suezmax tanker Desh Shanti when their vessel ran into trouble in inclement weather in the Gulf of Oman. On February 3, the tanker, owned by the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd (SCI), received a distress call from the dhow requesting immediate assistance as it reported flooding of the engine compartment of the dhow while it was some 50 nautical miles off the coast of Fujairah, UAE. The condition on FRTK-1 soon deteriorated as the vessel developed a list and its main engine malfunctioned. When it received the distress call, the 2004-built Desh Shanti was some 11 nautical miles away from the dhow. SCI said that the rescue operation was carried out under boisterous weather conditions, strong winds gusting up to 50-60 knots and very high sea swell. AIS Data from Marine Traffic shows that the 274-meter-long tanker was on its way from Mumbai, India to Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, where it is scheduled to arrive on February 11, when it diverted to provide assistance to the seafarers. The owners of FRTK-1 were informed of the rescue and the next port of call, according to the Shipping Corporation of India.