**Summary:**
On June 29, 2025, the Indian Navy's INS Tabar responded to a Mayday distress call from the Palau-flagged tanker MT Yi Cheng 6, which reported a significant fire in its engine room approximately 80 nautical miles east of Fujairah, UAE. Demonstrating rapid operational readiness and commitment to seafarer safety, INS Tabar swiftly proceeded to the distressed vessel and commenced firefighting and rescue operations. Seven of the 14 Indian crew members were immediately evacuated to INS Tabar and received medical examination, with no reported injuries. A six-member firefighting team from INS Tabar, later reinforced with an additional 13 personnel (5 officers and 8 sailors), worked alongside the remaining crew to combat the fire. Their sustained efforts successfully brought the fire under control. INS Tabar remains on station to provide continued support and monitoring. The Indian Navy's intervention ensured the safety of the ship and all Indian crew members, highlighting its rapid response capability, operational preparedness, and humanitarian approach to maritime safety within the Indian Ocean Region. This operation reaffirms India's role as the first responder in the region. This information was released by PIB Delhi on July 1, 2025, at 9:30 AM. Release ID: 2141085.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Navy: The naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces, responsible for maritime security.
MT Yi Cheng 6: A Palau-flagged tanker that experienced a fire in the North Arabian Sea.
North Arabian Sea: The body of water where the firefighting and rescue operation took place.
INS Tabar: An Indian Navy warship that responded to the distress call and conducted firefighting and rescue operations.
Fujairah, UAE: A city in the United Arab Emirates, located near the site of the incident.
Palau: The nation whose flag the tanker MT Yi Cheng 6 was flying.
Indian Ocean Region: The area in which the Indian Navy is a first responder, according to the notification.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVY LEADS CRITICAL FIREFIGHTING
AND RESCUE OPERATIONS ON PALAU-
FLAGGED TANKER MT YI CHENG 6
Swift Action Ensures Safety of Indian Crew in the
North Arabian Sea
Posted On: 01 JUL 2025 9:30AM by PIB Delhi
Demonstrating rapid operational readiness and its unwavering commitment to seafarer safety, the Indian Navy
undertook a high-risk firefighting and rescue operation on-board Palau-flagged tanker MT Yi Cheng 6 on 29
Jun 2025 in the North Arabian Sea, successfully stabilising the situation and ensuring the safety of 14
Indian crew members.
In the early hours of 29 Jun 2025, INS Tabar on mission-based deployment, received a Mayday distress call
from MT Yi Cheng 6. The vessel reported a major fire outbreak in its engine room whilst operating
approximately 80 nautical miles east of Fujairah, UAE.
Responding swiftly, INS Tabar proceeded at maximum speed to provide assistance. The ship reached in
vicinity of the distressed vessel and upon arrival established communication with the Master of the vessel and
commenced firefighting operations.
Prioritising crew safety, seven crew members were immediately evacuated to INS Tabar using ship’s boats.
No injuries were reported, and all crew were examined by Tabar’s medical team. The remaining crew
members, including the Master, stayed onboard to assist with fire containment. INS Tabar deployed a six-
member firefighting and damage control team with firefighting equipment.
Initial firefighting efforts from the Indian Naval personnel and ship’s crew resulted in considerable reduction
in intensity of the fire with smoke restricted to the engine room. The firefighting effort was further reinforced
with 13 additional Indian Navy personnel (5 officers and 8 sailors).
Sustained efforts by Indian Navy’s firefighting team along with crew members have successfully brought the
fire under control. Continuous temperature checks and monitoring is being undertaken. INS Tabar remains on
station for continued support.
The valiant effort of Indian Naval personnel has ensured safety of the ship along with all Indian crew
members. This incident once again highlights Indian Navy’s rapid response capability, operational
preparedness, humanitarian approach to maritime safety and reaffirms India’s role as the first responder in
the Indian Ocean Region.****
VM/ SKY
(Release ID: 2141085)