In a display of maritime solidarity and swift response, an Indian warship rushed to aid a merchant vessel targeted by a ballistic missile fired by Houthi rebels of Yemen in the Gulf of Aden on Friday night.
The incident unfolded when the guided-missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam, stationed in the Gulf of Aden, received a distress call from the Marshall Island-flagged tanker Marlin Luanda, which had been struck by a ballistic missile. The vessel was carrying 22 Indian crew members and one Bangladeshi crew member.
The nuclear, biological, and chemical damage control (NBCD) team, equipped with firefighting gear, promptly boarded the Marlin Luanda to assist the crew on Saturday. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries among the crew members.
An official statement emphasized the Indian Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding merchant vessels and ensuring safety at sea, reaffirming its dedication to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the region.
According to the US Central Command, the Houthi rebels launched the anti-ship ballistic missile from their controlled territories in Yemen, targeting the MV Marlin Luanda at 7:45 pm local time on Friday. Responding to the distress call, the US warship USS Carney and coalition vessels provided vital support to the stricken vessel.
The incident underscores the escalating security threats faced by maritime trade routes in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea. Recent months have witnessed heightened attacks by Houthi rebels and Somali pirates on merchant ships, disrupting crucial maritime trade between Europe and Asia.
Despite not participating in the US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian, India has independently deployed an impressive fleet of 10-12 frontline warships across the region, underscoring its commitment to maritime security and stability.
INS Visakhapatnam’s swift response to the Marlin Luanda incident follows previous instances of Indian naval intervention in the region. In January, the vessel aided the cargo vessel MV Genco Picardy after a drone attack, while INS Chennai thwarted an attempted hijacking of MV Lila Norfolk in the Arabian Sea, rescuing its crew.
As maritime incidents increasingly encroach upon Indian waters, the Indian Navy remains vigilant, bolstering its presence and capabilities to safeguard national interests and ensure the safety of seafarers navigating these volatile waters. With the specter of maritime threats looming large, collaborative efforts among nations are imperative to uphold maritime security and facilitate uninterrupted global trade flows.
Dhairya Saraswat