US naval forces rescue crew from sinking Iranian cargo vessel in Middle East Gulf
Five Iranian and two Indian seafarers were rescued by US Navy and US Coast Guard ships on Tuesday
US vessels in the Middle East Gulf rescued seven sailors from an Iranian vessel that suffered a ‘significant’ list and ultimately sunk
US NAVY and US Coast Guard vessels rescued five Iranian and two Indian mariners in the Middle East Gulf on Tuesday, US Central Command (Centcom) said on social media platform X.
USS Devastator and USCG Cutter Clarence Sutphin Jr rescued the seafarers after they abandoned their vessel, the 450 dwt general cargoship Shayesteh (IMO: 9033036).
The mariners “are safely on board USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr and are receiving follow-on medical care,” Centcom said.
Shayesteh had a heavy list and issued a mayday call for help. It ultimately sunk, Centcom said.
Lloyd’s List Intelligence data shows the Iran-flagged vessel left Bushehr port on Sunday. It last pinged an Automatic Identification System signal in the early hours of Tuesday, about 30 miles north of al Ruwais, Qatar.
According to Centcom, “Shayesteh is an Iranian vessel and was flying a Qatari flag, which is customary when in territorial waters.”
It was not immediately clear how many mariners were on board the 1991-built Shayesteh before it was abandoned.
Lloyd’s List could not find contact information for the vessel’s Iran-based registered owner.
