Pakistan Navy Helps Stranded Indian Ship In Arabian Sea After SOS Message

The Pakistani navy reportedly responded to a distress call from an Indian ship stranded in the Arabian Sea after a critical technical failure, assisting the crew with food, medical and other emergency support. The vessel, named MV Gautam, had suffered a critical technical failure while en route from Oman to India, leaving it stranded at sea, news agency Reuters reported, citing a Pakistani military statement. 

The Pakistan Navy launched a rescue and support operation for the crew-- six Indians and one Indonesian-- after the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre in Mumbai contacted authorities in Islamabad and requested assistance.

Responding to the request, the Pakistan Navy deployed the ship named PMSS Kashmir to carry out rescue operations.

Emergency assistance, including food, medical aid, and technical support, was provided to the crew of MV Gautam to stabilise the vessel and ensure the crew's safety, the statement said.

The navy was reportedly assisted by the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) in the rescue and support operation. 

The Gulf Times tweeted the video of the rescue mission, where the Pakistan Navy's boat can be seen helping MV Gautam's crew members.

#Pakistan Navy has rescued a stranded #Indian crew in a #humanitarian operation in the Arabian Sea following an SOS alert.

Acting on a distress signal from Mumbai MRCC, Pakistan Navy frigate “Kashmir” was promptly deployed to assist the Indian vessel MV Gautam.

The ship… pic.twitter.com/deloojVoUI

— Gulf Times (@GulfTimes_QATAR) May 5, 2026

Last month, Pakistan said its navy ​had rescued and ‌evacuated 18 crew members of ​a merchant vessel ​operating in the northern Arabian Sea ​after a distress ​call.

What India Said On The Op

Sources told NDTV that Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Regional Headquarters in Gandhinagar was informed about the situation involving MV Gautam at 11:22 pm on May 4.

The vessel experienced a total power failure on May 3 due to a generator malfunction. At the time of the incident, the vessel was located within the Pakistan Search and Rescue Region (SRR).

"The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai, relayed the information to Pakistan authorities. Subsequently, the vessel began drifting in an east-northeasterly direction at an average speed of approximately 1.5 knots. By 8:45 pm May 4, the vessel had drifted to a position approximately 262 nautical miles from Dwarka Lighthouse, within the Indian SRR," sources said.

ICG Ship Rajratan, deployed in the area, was tasked to investigate. Upon reaching the vessel's vicinity, communication was established. However, the vessel was found to have limited communication capability, with only VHF (Very High Frequency) radios and AIS (Automatic Identification System) functioning on battery backup.

"It was further ascertained that technical personnel from the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) had boarded the vessel. Following assessment, the main generator was declared beyond repair," sources said.

The ICG has requested the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, to advise the vessel's owner to arrange a suitable tug for towing assistance, as the vessel remains without propulsion and unlit, thereby posing a significant navigational hazard to nearby shipping traffic.