What Crew Members Say About Desh-Vaibhav

Amidst a cloud of uncertainty, all crew members who abandoned the 'Desh Vaibhav' after a significant cargo tank explosion have reportedly reboarded the vessel, which is now set to make its way towards the port. The Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has confirmed that the tanker is fully manned and operational following the incident. On August 14 at 9:35 a.m., the 'Desh Vaibhav' was found drifting in the Gulf of Oman, approximately 75 miles off the coast of Muscat, after experiencing an explosion. Fortunately, the fire was quickly controlled with the help of the Omani Navy, yet the chaos left three crew members unaccounted for and one individual required evacuation for medical assistance. On August 15, conflicting reports emerged regarding the crew's fate; SCI released a statement indicating that two crew members were treated for injuries and sent to a hospital in Muscat, while UAE media claimed that three crew members had been rescued by nearby ships and received medical care in Oman. For further coverage and images, visit the full report: https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/vlcc-desh-vaibhav-s-missing-crewmembers-rescued#gs.GiAIY60

On August 14, 2018, at 08:45 a.m., the oil tanker 'Desh Vaibhav' experienced a significant fire due to an explosion, while located approximately 60 miles northeast of Muscat, Oman. In response to the emergency, the crew deployed the lifeboats, initiating rescue efforts for four crew members who leaped into the sea to escape the blaze. One crew member sustained injuries and was promptly evacuated to the mainland via a rescue helicopter. A coordinated effort included multiple vessels such as 'Arva Spirit,' 'Jag Lavanya,' 'Desh Vishal,' along with a Maersk container ship, an Omani warship, and the Iranian Navy, who all contributed to the rescue operations. The 'Desh Vaibhav' was en route in ballast from Halul Island to Fujairah when the incident occurred. Previously, on July 27, the tanker was chartered by Reliance to transport 270,000 tons of crude from the Persian Gulf to Jamagar. Following this incident, it was scheduled to load another 270,000 metric tons of crude from Ras Tanura on August 15, intended for BPCL in Kochi. Fortunately, while the fire had been extinguished, crews continued to cool the hull with water cannons to prevent any potential flare-ups.

In a recent turn of events, the VLCC Desh Vaibhav, owned by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), has been released from detainment by Singaporean authorities. The vessel, which is currently on charter to the prominent Reliance Industries Ltd, is once again en route to the Persian Gulf following its brief interruption. Although local officials have not disclosed the specific reasons behind the ship's arrest, they have confirmed that the matter has been resolved satisfactorily. This development occurred on September 26, 2013, marking a positive update for the operations of SCI and its charter agreements.