US Navy Helicopter Rescues 14 Indian Mariners in Arabian Sea

A U.S. Navy helicopter helped rescue 14 Indian mariners in the Northern Arabian Sea on June 14, following a coordinated multi-agency response involving military aircraft, naval ships, and a commercial vessel.

The operation began after a distress signal was received from the stranded crew at around 2 a.m. EST. A U.S. Navy P-8 reconnaissance aircraft was the first to reach the area and immediately deployed a search-and-rescue package, including a life raft. All 14 mariners were able to board the raft.

Shortly after, the Motor Vessel Jabal Ali 9 arrived at the scene and recovered 11 of the crew members from the raft, ensuring their safety.

However, in rough sea conditions, the life raft later capsized, leaving three mariners in the water. An MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter, operating from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), conducted a rapid aerial rescue and successfully retrieved the remaining sailors. They were then transferred to Jabal Ali 9 and reported to be in good health and spirits.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) also responded to the distress call as part of the wider search and rescue effort.

The U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, which oversees a vast operational area of nearly 2.5 million square miles across the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, parts of the Indian Ocean, and key maritime chokepoints, coordinated the response.

Officials said the incident highlights the importance of rapid multinational maritime coordination in ensuring safety across one of the world’s busiest sea lanes.