Indian Navy Successfully Rescues Injured Crew Member From Seized Malta-Flagged Vessel

The Indian Navy successfully rescued an injured crew member from the seized Malta-flagged vessel MV Ruen. On December 14, unidentified attackers took control of the Bulk Carrier, which belonged to Navigation Maritime Bulgare, a company located in Bulgaria near the Yemeni island of Socotra.

Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov later verified the first reports of Houthi rebel involvement as an act of piracy, the first successful hijacking by Somali pirates since 2017. The ship, which had eighteen crew members, people from Bulgaria, Angola, and Myanmar—reported the boarding by six unidentified people in a distress call sent on the UK Maritime Trade Operation webpage.

The Indian Navy responded quickly to the situation, deploying the guided missile destroyer INS Kochi close to the hijacked vessel. To find and assist MV Ruen, the Navy’s mission deployed platforms, including naval marine patrol aircraft and warships in the Gulf of Aden.

The Indian Navy demonstrated its resolve to be the area’s first responder by snooping on the hijacked ship on December 16. At the same time, Spanish and Japanese warships entered the chase, and EUNAVFOR, the European Union’s naval force, coordinated operations with local authorities in Somalia.

Concerns regarding the need for increased maritime security were raised when the United Nations Security Council relaxed the arms embargo on the Federal Government of Somalia just before the hijacking. The event highlights the pressure on Somali authorities to defend international maritime lanes and territorial waters essential to world trade.

As the incident took place, a crew member was shot by a pirate during gunfire. After engaging in negotiations with the pirates, the Indian Navy managed to obtain the injured sailor’s release. He was subsequently transported to INS Kochi for initial medical attention. The crew member was then transferred to a port in Oman because they required specialist medical care beyond the vessel’s capability.

Reference: Eurasiantimes

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