14 Indian crew evacuated from vessel off Oman coast

14 Indian crew members from a commercial vessel off the Oman coast were evacuated after an engine failure, the Embassy of India in Muscat said on Sunday.The incident occurred on the Indian-flagged merchant vessel Virat 1. Upon receiving information that the vessel was in danger, the US Navy alerted shore authorities to launch the emergency response, according to sources. In a swift rescue manoeuvre, a US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft responded to the crisis by dropping a life raft near the vessel and monitoring the evacuation of those onboard. 
In a statement posted on social media, the embassy said that search and rescue operations were being coordinated with Omani authorities and nearby vessels. "It has emerged that the vessel experienced an engine failure, and the crew eventually transferred safely to a liferaft. A rescue operation is presently underway through ships in the vicinity, under the coordination of Omani authorities," the embassy said.
A US Navy P-8 maritime patrol aircraft deployed a life raft and monitored the crew as they safely boarded it. The aircraft also requested assistance from MV Jabal Ali 9, a St Kitts and Nevis-flagged vessel en route from Sohar to Mumbai, which has since reached the vicinity of the distressed dhow and is assisting with the rescue operation.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region. The Oman coast witnessed tensions last week as three vessels with Indian crew members came under US attack in the region. One of them killed three seafarers.