Indian Navy frigate offers assistance to Norwegian ship in distress

The Indian Navy’s Talwar-class frigate INS Teg has provided assistance to a Norwegian-owned vessel, MV Vela, in the piracy-infested waters of the Gulf of Aden.

With an all Indian crew, MV Vela was in distress as its port anchor and the entire 42t 330m-long cable accidentally slipped and was hanging into the sea.

This restricted the speed of the ship to between 5k and 6k, which not only made it vulnerable to piracy attacks but also a navigational hazard for other ships in the busy shipping corridor.

As part of the assistance provided, INS Teg deployed a specialist team to evaluate the situation and help the vessel recover its anchor and cable.

Led by MV Vela’s engineering officer, the team conducted the recovery operation for three days, helping the ship avoid huge financial loss.

The specialist team also comprised the seamanship instructor, anchor chain cable specialist and machinery specialist.

In an email, MV Vela expressed its gratitude toward the Indian Navy stating: “Your concern and commitment for safety of life at sea is well noted and your efforts in reaching out to fellow mariners in emergency at sea, keeping aside committed voyage is conforming to the best maritime traditions, worth emulating by other mariners.”

Following the recovery, the Norwegian vessel carried out its onward voyage safely transiting through the constricted waters of the Red Sea and Suez Canal.

INS Teg is a warship deployed with the Western Naval Command, an Indian Navy formation headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra.