In a swift and commendable maritime rescue operation, the Indian Navy’s stealth frigate INS Tabar successfully responded to a distress call from MT Yi Cheng 6, a Pulau-flagged oil tanker that suffered a massive fire and total power failure in the Gulf of Oman on 29 June 2025. The tanker, which was enroute from Kandla (India) to Shinas (Oman), had 14 crew members, all Indian origin, onboard at the time of the emergency.
According to official sources from the Indian Navy spoke person, the fire broke out in the vessel’s engine room, leading to a complete blackout and loss of propulsion. The incident occurred while the ship was transiting international waters off the Omani coast. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation, but early reports suggest a probable mechanical failure in the engine room.
Upon receiving the distress signal, INS Tabar, which was mission-deployed in the Gulf of Oman as part of India’s maritime security patrols, immediately changed path and rushed to the scene. The Navy confirmed that 13 Indian naval personnel, trained in damage control and marine firefighting, were dispatched to the tanker using a combination of the ship’s helicopter and rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB). They were joined by five crew members of the MT Yi Cheng 6 to conduct an onboard firefighting operation.
“The team carried specialised naval firefighting equipment and quickly commenced onboard firefighting operations,” the Indian Navy said in a statement. “Thanks to their coordinated and determined efforts, the intensity of the fire was reduced drastically by the evening of 30 June.”
INS Tabar’s commanding officer ensured continuous coordination between the frigate and the distressed tanker. The situation was largely under control and all 14 crew members were safe No injuries or casualties have been reported so far. The combined effort of the Indian Navy and the ship’s personnel ensured suppression of the fire before it could escalate or cause terrible damage to the vessel or the environment.
This incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable and hazardous conditions faced by merchant ships at sea. It also highlights India’s growing maritime capability and its commitment to the safety of Indian seafarers operating under foreign flags. The MT Yi Cheng 6, though registered under the flag of Palau, had a full Indian crew and was transiting an important commercial route that connects the Indian subcontinent to the Gulf.
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Maritime experts and officials lauded the Indian Navy’s timely response. “This is a textbook example of naval readiness, rapid response, and the kind of capability that India has developed to project assistance across the Indian Ocean Region,” said a retired naval officer familiar with maritime operations in the Gulf.
Further investigations are expected to be carried out to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the structural integrity of the tanker. The vessel is currently being stabilized and further supported by the crew of INS Tabar until additional technical assistance, or a tugboat is arranged by the shipping operator.
The Indian Navy has not ruled out providing extended support to ensure safe towing or onward transit of MT Yi Cheng 6 if required. As of now, all crew members are reported to be in good health and are being attended to by naval medical staff onboard INS Tabar, if needed. The Navy’s prompt action ensured that a potentially terrible incident was avoided in one of the world’s most vital maritime trade corridors.
