Indian Navy's INS Visakhapatnam Responds to Distress Call in Gulf of Aden Amidst Rising Tensions

Defense News ,India :- In a recent development, the Indian Navy's guided missile destroyer INS Visakhapatnam, stationed in the Gulf of Aden, swiftly responded to a distress call from the MV Merlin Luanda on Friday night. The distressed MV, carrying 22 Indian and 01 Bangladeshi crew members, sought assistance from the Indian Navy.

Upon the request from MV Merlin Luanda, INS Visakhapatnam deployed its Ship's NBCD team along with firefighting equipment to bolster firefighting efforts on the troubled vessel. A statement from the Indian Navy spokesperson emphasized their unwavering commitment to safeguarding merchant vessels and ensuring the safety of lives at sea.

The spokesperson, in a social media post, shared, "Indian Navy’s Guided missile destroyer, #INSVisakhapatnam, deployed in the #GulfofAden responded to a distress call from MV #MarlinLuanda on the night of #26Jan. The firefighting efforts onboard the distressed Merchant Vessel are being augmented by the NBCD team along with firefighting equipment, deployed by #INSVisakhapatnam to assist the crew onboard the MV. The MV has 22 #Indian & 01 Bangladeshi crew onboard. #IndianNavy remains steadfast & committed towards safeguarding MVs & ensuring safety of life at sea."

Simultaneously, the US Central Command reported that Houthi terrorists launched an anti-ship ballistic missile from Yemen, hitting the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda. The incident occurred in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. The US Central Command's statement read, "Houthis Strike M/V Marlin Luanda Operating in the Gulf of Aden. On Jan. 26, at approximately 7:45 p.m. (Sanaa time), Iranian-backed Houthi terrorists fired one anti-ship ballistic missile from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and struck the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker M/V Marlin Luanda." It further mentioned that the distressed ship issued a distress call, and USS Carney (DDG 64) and other coalition ships are providing assistance, with no reported injuries at this time.

This incident follows a similar event earlier this month when INS Visakhapatnam responded to a distress call from the Marshall Island-flagged MV Genco Picardy after a drone attack on January 17. The guided missile destroyer, currently on an anti-piracy mission in the Gulf of Aden, intercepted the vessels on January 18, 2024, at midnight, providing immediate assistance.