Fourteen sailors have been brought to safety after being left stranded in rough seas when their ship's engine failed during high winds in Dubai.
Police launched an air-and-sea rescue operation after a distress call was received at 6.14am on Wednesday.
The Khadeeja 7 crashed into rocks as stormy conditions hit Deira Islands, off Bur Dubai, with water quickly flooding into the ship.
The Indian crew was rescued after a police operation lasting 35 minutes.
(1/2) A big thank you to @DubaiPoliceHQ for rescuing 14 Indian crew on board vessel Khadeeja 7 belonging to M/s Orassia Shipping LLC yesterday night. The vessel was in blackout condition due to technical fault and struck with rock stones. @FTAgovae
— India in Dubai (@cgidubai) February 20, 2019
The Indian Consulate in Dubai praised Dubai Police for their life-saving efforts.
Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al Naqbi, head of maritime rescue at Dubai Police, said the ship was battered by strong winds and high waves at the same its engine malfunctioned.
@SushmaSwaraj Ji , As a Seafarer , I am indebted to your Officers of @cgidubai who handled average of 1500 Stranded Indian Seaman in last 3 years & helped them during crisis time. Ofcourse after @eMigrateproject in 2018, we see 80% drop in abandonment of Seafarers cases at Dubai. pic.twitter.com/2QkczKFmoM
— Capt Sanjay Prashar (@PrasharSdp) February 20, 2019
“The crew were left with no control over the large vessel which crashed into the rocks of the wave barrier at Deira Island,” he said.
A police helicopter located the ship but rescue boats were unable to reach it due to the high tide.
Rescuers connected ropes from the wave barrier breakwater to the ship to guide the men to safety one at a time.
Their belongings were retrieved and they received medical check-ups.