In late September 2025, Karandeep Singh Rana, a 22-year-old merchant navy cadet from Dehradun in Uttarakhand, missing during a voyage in the Indian Ocean. Karandeep was working as a deck cadet (a trainee officer) on board the oil tanker Front Princess, operated by Singapore-based Executive Ship Management. The tanker was en-route from Iraq to China via Sri Lanka and Singapore. According to family accounts and company statements, Karandeep was last heard from on the morning of September 20, when he spoke with his parents and seemed “perfectly fine”. By evening that day, the company in Mumbai informed Karandeep’s family that he had gone missing from the ship and was not found despite extensive searches. In other words, the young cadet was missing at sea off the Sri Lankan coast.
After the disappearance was reported, the oil tanker and Sri Lankan authorities launched a massive 96-hour search operation. They searched a wide area off Sri Lanka for days but found no sign of Karandeep on or near the vessel. Only a single shoe and Karandeep’s personal camera were recovered from the ship during the search. The ship’s crew helped in the search while Sri Lankan naval helicopters and ships patrolled the waters, but despite these efforts Karandeep could not be found. In a statement, the shipping company said it was “with profound sadness” that it announced the “tragic loss” of Cadet Rana, suspecting he was lost overboard on the night of September 20. The tanker then continued to China, where authorities planned a formal investigation once it arrived.
The Missing Cadet and Ship Details
Karandeep Singh Rana was a senior deck cadet – a trainee officer nearing the end of his education – in the Merchant Navy. At 22 years old, he had already served on two ships with the same company (Executive Ship Management) and was on track to become a Third Officer, according to his father. He is from Dehradun and had dreamed of a seafaring career. On the unfortunate voyage, Karandeep boarded the tanker Front Princess in Singapore. The Front Princess is a 95,000-ton oil tanker that had sailed to Iraq before making the return journey toward China, stopping near Sri Lanka on the way.
Karandeep’s disappearance is highly unusual, especially for a trained officer who had no known prior incidents. His father, Narendra Singh Rana, told press that he had been in regular contact with Karandeep during the journey and heard from him on the morning of Sept 20. Later that evening, the company called to say Karandeep had vanished. At that point, no emergency (Mayday) signal had been sent, nor was there any immediate explanation given. Family members were “shocked” after receiving the news, since their last conversation was normal. The company initially only reported that Karandeep “had gone to the deck alone and had been missing since then”.
Officials say the ship’s crew was cooperative, but by the time of the notification it was already dark and the ship had moved on. The tanker’s management in India quickly launched search measures, However, the sheer of the ocean made locating a single person very challenging. The site of the disappearance was near busy shipping lanes in the Sri Lanka–Singapore corridor, yet no other vessel reported seeing any incident. The Front Princess had logged Karandeep as safely onboard at the start of that watch, according to company records, but something happened after that time.
Search and Rescue Efforts
Following the report of Karandeep’s disappearance, the shipping company and Sri Lankan authorities organized a large-scale search-and-rescue (SAR) operation. In accordance with international maritime conventions, when a seafarer goes missing, nearby vessels and coastal states coordinate to search the last known area. Sri Lanka, being closest, sent military helicopters and patrol boats to search the waters around the tanker’s route. The tanker crew also turned back briefly to look. In total, about 96 hours of searching were carried out. Teams checked the sea surface and the ship itself multiple times. Despite this effort, they found only the cadet’s shoe and a camera – no sign of Karandeep.
This recovery of personal items suggests he fell or left the ship somehow, but the absence of other clues has made the case puzzling. The crew examined life rafts, safety gear and the deck, and the ship’s route, but without result. No broadcasted distress call or sighting of a person in the water was reported during the search period. Sri Lankan authorities eventually had to stand down the official SAR after four days, as no trace of Karandeep was found beyond the items noted. The tanker then proceeded on its scheduled route.
The shipping company’s statement acknowledged the intensive search. In the Times of India report, the company spokesperson explained: “the ship’s crew searched for Karandeep for four days, and the Sri Lankan defence helicopters and other vessels also assisted in the search. Sadly, he could not be found”. They also noted that a formal investigation will be conducted once the vessel arrives in China, its destination port. This is standard practice, the flag state or port state authorities would examine ship logs, CCTV, and interview crew to establish what happened.
Currently, there is still no final explanation for Karandeep’s disappearance. The company suggests that he most likely fell overboard by accident late on September 20th. Although rare, accidental falls from merchant vessels can occur due to slips, rough seas, or sudden vessel movements. The search took place far from shore, in open waters. If Karandeep did really fall into the ocean, the combination of strong currents and warm September temperatures would make survival doubtful without immediate rescue. With no further evidence, authorities have classified him as assumed lost at sea until new information arises.
Family Appeals and Reactions
Karandeep’s family has been vocal in seeking assistance. His father Narendra Rana has publicly urged the Uttarakhand government and India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to intervene. He even met the Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, requesting help in the search and investigation. The family posted pleas on social media, highlighting that they had “not been provided footage” or full information by the company. In one post, Karandeep’s sister called for police and press attention, saying the family was still without answers.
Local and national media covered the story, bringing public attention to the case. Since Karandeep was from Uttarakhand, state officials noted the disappearance. However, because the incident happened in international waters near Sri Lanka, the Indian government’s role is somewhat limited. The MEA typically does not get involved in a commercial shipping case abroad unless Indian interests or safety are at stake, beyond standard diplomatic inquiries. Nonetheless, the Uttarakhand government has offered to coordinate with relevant agencies.
Friends and community members in Dehradun remember Karandeep as diligent and humble. Reports say he had just completed an internship and was about to earn his professional certification. The sudden loss has been devastating for the family. As one report noted, Karandeep “had always wanted to join the Merchant Navy, and he was due to become a Third Officer”. His career at sea was just beginning. The family has asked people to pray for him and has warned against spreading rumours.
Importantly, all involved have appealed for sensitivity. The shipowners clearly warned against speculation, saying emotional reactions could add to the family’s pain. As the company said, “tragic incidents like this are complex and speculation can cause additional distress to both the family and friends of Karandeep”. So far, no one has claimed any wrongdoing; investigators are currently handling the situation as a mysterious disappearance until more information comes to light.
Investigation and Current Status
At the time (October 2025), Karandeep Singh Rana’s destiny is still unknown. The oil tanker Front Princess has sailed on to China, as planned. Once it arrived, port authorities in the destination likely initiated a formal inquiry. This investigation would examine all evidence: ship records, navigation data, watch logs, and any available video footage. The crew members would be interviewed by maritime authorities to piece together Karandeep’s last hours. Executive Ship Management has said this investigation will be “full” and “official,” but no findings have been made public yet.
Because no new details have emerged in open sources, the case remains unresolved in the public eye. There have been unverified online rumours (for example, a social media post claiming Karandeep was found in another country), but none of these claims are confirmed by any credible source. All official reports still present the incident as a tragic overboard disappearance off Sri Lanka. The company and authorities have not reported any rescue of Karandeep or sighting after the September search.
According to international shipping protocols, if a seafarer is not found after thorough searches, he is generally presumed lost. The family, however, has indicated they will continue pressing for answers. They have asked for all possible help from the Sri Lankan authorities (who conducted the search), the Chinese port authority (which oversees the ship now), and Indian diplomats to keep any lead open.
Safety at Sea and Cadet Training
While rare, incidents of crew members going missing at sea do happen in the merchant navy. The life of a seafarer can be isolating and physically demanding. A deck cadet is often responsible for navigation watch, lookout, and routine deck work. Cadets are trained to follow strict safety procedures, including wearing harnesses and using communication devices when on open decks, especially at night. If those procedures fail or are bypassed, the risk of accident increases.
The Sri Lanka–Singapore sea route is one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors. Oil tankers routinely cross these waters on voyages between the Middle East and East Asia. Weather in late September is usually calm, but a sudden slip or a health incident on deck could lead to a fall. The recovered shoe suggests Karandeep may have fallen overboard, but it is not definitive proof. The camera might have been with him on deck.
After this incident, maritime safety advocates have echoed the importance of watch-keeping protocols and emergency drills. Training institutes for merchant navy cadets often stress the dangers of fatigue and the necessity of working in pairs or using safety lines on deck. Each ship also carries equipment like personal locator beacons (PLBs) or life buoys, which could help in such cases – it is not clear if these were deployed or available at the time.
The case has highlighted the emotional strain experienced by the families of seafarers. Sailors spend extended periods away from their loved ones, often making communication challenging. Once a vessel enters international waters, local authorities, apart from those in India, take control during emergencies. For the parents of the young cadet, this situation resulted in anxious waiting as their son’s ship moved farther away.
What Comes Next
In the coming weeks and months, attention will focus on the results of the formal investigation. If investigators determine Karandeep likely fell accidentally, the case will be closed as a tragic loss at sea. If there were any other factors (such as onboard conflict or equipment failure), they would also be reported. Meanwhile, the family has indicated it will follow all paths, including legal and governmental, to get closure.
For now, the human side of this story is front and centre. A promising young merchant navy cadet from Uttarakhand has disappeared, and a family waits anxiously for answers. The Merchant Navy community has offered support, and the public is keeping an eye on developments. Any new official update will be keenly watched by all involved.
