On 28 OCT 2023, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully conducted a long-range medical evacuation of a critically injured Iranian fisherman from the fishing dhow Al-Owais. The fisherman sustained injuries to both eyes and deep lacerations to the right ear due to an explosion during fuel transfer. The vessel, with five crew members and engine failure, was located approximately 1,500 km west of Kochi, Kerala. Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai received information from MRCC Chabahar, Iran, and activated the International Safety Net. ICG Ship Sachet and MT STI Grace (Marshall Islands-flagged tanker) were directed to assist. The tanker crew provided tele-medical first aid after rendezvousing with Al-Owais. The injured fisherman was transferred to ICG Ship Sachet and is currently receiving ongoing treatment onboard, proceeding towards Goa for further procedures. The release ID is 2183368. SR/KB are noted.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Coast Guard (ICG): Primary agency conducting the medical evacuation and committed to maritime safety and humanitarian assistance.
Kochi, Kerala: Location where the fishing dhow was located in reference to, approximately 1,500 km west
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai: Received information from MRCC Chabahar, Iran, regarding the medical emergency and activated the International Safety Net.
Ministry of Defence
ICG conducts long-range medical evacuation
of a critically injured Iranian fisherman onboard
fishing dhow approx. 1,500 km west of Kochi,
Kerala
Posted On: 28 OCT 2025 5:02PM by PIB Delhi
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully conducted a long-range medical evacuation of a critically
injured Iranian fisherman with injuries to both eyes and deep lacerations on the right ear due to an
explosion during fuel transfer to the generator on the fishing dhow Al-Owais. The five-crew vessel
with engine failure was located in the middle of Arabian Sea, approximately 1,500 km west of Kochi,
Kerala.
Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Mumbai received information from MRCC
Chabahar, Iran, regarding the medical emergency and activated the International Safety Net to alert
vessels in the vicinity & initiate coordinated assistance. ICG Ship Sachet on return passage from an
overseas deployment to East African countries and MT STI Grace which is a Marshall Islands-flagged
tanker enroute from Kuwait to Moroni, were directed to render immediate assistance. The crew of the
tanker after rendezvousing with Al-Owais, administered tele-medical first aid & stabilisation under
guidance from ICG medical personnel.
Further, MT STI Grace met with ICG Ship Sachet for patient transfer and further medical
management. The injured fisherman is currently receiving ongoing medical treatment onboard ICG
Ship Sachet, which is proceeding towards Goa for further procedures.
The complex, challenging rescue, underscores the ICG’s commitment to maritime safety and
humanitarian assistance beyond national boundaries, reaffirming its role as a credible and dependable
maritime search and rescue agency in the Indian Ocean Region.
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SR/KB
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