Pakistan Navy ship ALAMGIR while conducting maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden undertook successful rescue operation of a stranded Indian fishing dhow.
The boat, ST MARYS, which sailed from the Indian port of Colochel with 12 crew men on board, was reported to become non-operational due to loss of engine propulsion in open sea near Salalah (Oman) for last eight days.
On receipt of information and request for help about the fishing dhow, Pakistan Navy ship was promptly dispatched which through its technical team rectified the defect in the boat and made it operational and sea worthy.
Rectification of the defect required miscellaneous repairs including gearbox removal and re-fixing followed by alignments and repairs through improvised solutions by technical team onboard the Indian boat.
The stranded boat crew was dehydrated and also required medical care and edibles. Pakistan Navy ship rescue team provided edibles and medical care to the crew members of the Indian fishing dhow. Master and crew of the stranded boat appreciated the kind gesture and swift response of Pakistan Navy ship. The fishing dhow thereafter shaped course to India port.
Pakistan Navy ships are active participants of Multinational Task Force-150 and Task Force-151 which are mandated to conduct Maritime Security Operations (MSOs) and anti-piracy operations. Since 2004, Pakistan Navy has been a major contributor of ships and aircraft in this multinational task forces. The contribution of Pakistan Navy in maintaining peace and order at sea has been widely acknowledged across the world.
The rescue operation by Pakistan Navy also manifests the strong commitment and resolve of the government of Pakistan to promote and safeguard peace in the region.
Published in Daily Times, April 30th 2018.
