In a daring and valiant mission, the Indian Navy’s INS Visakhapatnam responded promptly to a distress call from the merchant vessel Marlin Launda, which had been struck by a missile in the Gulf of Aden. The incident occurred on Saturday night, turning a routine voyage into a life-threatening emergency for the 22 Indian and one Bangladeshi national crew members aboard the oil tanker.
The Navy’s swift response was captured in a video shared on X (formerly Twitter), where the captain of the Marlin Launda expressed his gratitude to the INS Visakhapatnam’s personnel. Captain Abhilash Rawat thanked the Indian Navy for restoring hope when the situation seemed dire, acknowledging the Navy’s experts who bravely fought the fire onboard.
A statement from the Indian Navy revealed that a specialized team of 10 firefighters managed to bring the massive blaze under control after an intense six-hour battle. The Navy is currently closely monitoring the situation to prevent any potential reignition, emphasizing their commitment to the safety of merchant shipping and seafarers.
The distressed vessel’s call for help also garnered international assistance, with US and French warships responding to the emergency alongside the INS Visakhapatnam. The US Central Command (CENTCOM) confirmed that the merchant vessel, owned by a UK-based company, fell victim to a ballistic missile fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. This attack is part of a pattern where Houthi rebels have targeted merchant vessels in the Red Sea amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
This isn’t the first time the INS Visakhapatnam has come to the rescue. On January 18, the warship responded to a similar distress call from the MV Chem Pluto, another merchant vessel with an Indian crew that had been attacked by drones off India’s west coast.
The missile attack on the Marlin Launda, attributed to Iran-backed Houthi militants, adds to the growing global concerns about security in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The Houthis have been specifically targeting commercial vessels since November, responding to Israel’s military offensive in Gaza.
While the vessel is owned by UK-based Oceonix Services, it is being operated by Singapore-based Trafigura. The geopolitical implications of this incident highlight the complex challenges faced by international maritime security.
The INS Visakhapatnam’s successful firefighting mission stands as a testament to the dedication and preparedness of the Indian Navy, reinforcing their commitment to ensuring the safety of maritime trade routes in volatile regions.