Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tabar carried out a quick and coordinated rescue on Sunday following a distress signal from the Pulau-flagged oil tanker MT Yi Cheng 6, which had experienced a serious fire in the engine room and complete loss of power while on board from Kandla, India to Shinas, Oman.
The ship, with 14 Indian-origin sailors on board, faced the crisis in the Arabian Sea. Upon getting the distress signal, INS Tabar deployed its firefighting personnel and equipment immediately, sending men aboard the stricken ship with both the ship’s boat and helicopter.
“The 14 Indian crew members’ ship, en route from Kandla, India to Shinas, Oman, suffered a major fire in the engine room and complete power failure on board. The fire fighting equipment and personnel of INS Tabar were shifted on board by the ship’s helicopter and boat,” the Indian Navy said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.
#IndianNavy‘s stealth frigate#INSTabar, mission deployed in the Gulf of Oman, responded to a distress call from Pulau flagged MT Yi Cheng 6, on #29Jun 25.
The vessel with 14 crew members of Indian origin, transiting from Kandla, India to Shinas, Oman, experienced a major fire… pic.twitter.com/hcwCalBW96
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) June 30, 2025
During the rescue mission, five crew members of the tanker assisted 13 Indian naval personnel from INS Tabar in fighting the fire on board. The joint effort minimized the ferocity of the fire considerably, although efforts at containment are still continuing.
“13 Indian naval personnel and 05 crew members of the damaged tanker are presently engaged in firefighting operations, with intensity of fire onboard drastically reduced,” the Navy added further.
The prompt action of the Indian Navy and professional coordination averted what otherwise would have been a huge sea disaster. The swift deployment of INS Tabar and hands-on intervention demonstrate the Navy’s ability to protect merchant ships in the area.
The crew and naval team have brought the situation under control, having largely contained the fire. They are now working to fully secure the tanker. Authorities have reported no casualties, and more updates are expected as the ship stabilizes.
