The Indian Navy responded quickly to a piracy attempt on the merchant vessel MV Golden Arsenal in the Gulf of Aden, helping ensure the safety of the ship and its crew, an official statement said on Thursday.
The incident took place on July 1, when the St. Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged bulk carrier was sailing from Aden, Yemen. The vessel reported an attempted pirate attack about 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti.
The report was shared through the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), after which INS Trikand, already deployed in the region, was sent to intercept the vessel.
The merchant ship was carrying 21 crew members, including one Indian national.
During the incident, the vessel suffered damage to its bridge superstructure and nearby compartments. However, the crew followed anti-piracy procedures by taking shelter inside the ship’s citadel, a secure area designed to protect crew members during attacks.
All crew members were reported safe.
Indian Navy boards and clears the vessel
According to the statement, on the morning of July 2, a boarding team from INS Trikand boarded MV Golden Arsenal to search the vessel and assess the situation.
After carrying out a thorough inspection, the Indian Navy found no suspicious persons on board. Once the vessel was declared safe, the crew left the citadel and joined naval personnel in checking the ship for damage.
P-8I aircraft supports anti-piracy mission
The Indian Navy also deployed a P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft to conduct aerial surveillance over the area.
The aircraft helped improve situational awareness and supported the anti-piracy operation by monitoring activity around the vessel, the official statement said.
Following the successful operation, the immediate threat was removed and MV Golden Arsenal resumed its onward journey.
Indian Navy reaffirms commitment to maritime security
The Indian Navy said it remains committed to protecting merchant ships, combating piracy and ensuring the safety of seafarers in the Indian Ocean Region, regardless of their nationality, it said.
The operation highlights India’s continued role in maintaining maritime security and supporting safe international shipping through the Gulf of Aden, one of the world’s busiest sea routes.
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