Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Skylight

On March 1, a devastating fire engulfed the tanker 'Skylight' off the coast of Oman, leading to the unfortunate deaths of two Indian seafarers, Captain Ashish Kumar from Bihar and Dalip Singh from Rajasthan. The vessel was caught in flames on both sides, effectively trapping the crew in the accommodation area during the emergency. As the blazing fire rapidly spread, the available escape routes dwindled significantly. Captain Kumar found himself confined in the master’s cabin, while Dalip Singh was trapped within the accommodation block. The only potential escape from the accommodation area was through the front portholes; however, initial reports suggest that essential equipment to break the glass and facilitate an escape was missing aboard the ship. With flames surrounding the area from either side, the firefighters' presence turned into a cruel illusion as normal exit routes were blocked. As a result, without the necessary tools to breach the portholes, both seafarers were left with no immediate means of escape. Rescue officials later discovered severely charred skeletal remains believed to be those of Captain Ashish Kumar in his cabin, with DNA testing underway to confirm his identity. Arrangements for Kumar’s family to travel to Dubai for forensic analyses are being put in place. Meanwhile, Dalip Singh remains unaccounted for and is presumed deceased. In a separate incident, another tragedy unfolded in the same maritime zone as Dixit Solanki, an oiler from Mumbai, lost his life following a suspected missile strike that targeted the engine room of the tanker 'MKD Vyom'. This attack further underscores the perilous nature of maritime contracts in the region, leaving many seafarers and their families in mourning.

On March 1, the 'Skylight', a tanker owned by Red Sea Ship Management, came under fire after being struck by an unmanned surface vehicle (USV) during escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, approximately five nautical miles north of Khasab, Oman. This alarming incident, which the Iranian forces attribute to an attempt to safeguard their waters against what they label as an 'illegal' passage, represents the first documented attack on a commercial vessel in this strategically crucial waterway amid ongoing military confrontations. The altercation is reportedly in response to previous US-Israeli airstrikes and Tehran's subsequent announcement regarding the closure of the strait. Following the distress signal sent by the 'Skylight', nearby vessels rushed to the scene, successfully evacuating the crew and transferring them to coastal facilities. Injured personnel received immediate medical attention for burns and other trauma. The tanker, now heavily damaged and at risk of completely sinking, poses a potential environmental threat if any of its cargo leaks into the Gulf waters. Notably, the 'Skylight' had already been sanctioned due to its alleged involvement in transporting Iranian oil products across the Persian Gulf, intensifying scrutiny surrounding maritime activities in the region.

On March 1, 2026, an alarming incident unfolded in the Strait of Hormuz when the tanker 'Skylight' came under attack, resulting in injuries to four crew members who required immediate medical attention. The vessel, which carried a crew of 20—comprising 15 Indian and five Iranian nationals—was positioned approximately five nautical miles off Musandam near the entrance of the strait. The attack ignited a blaze aboard the tanker, which had arrived empty on February 22. While the Oman Navy responded promptly to the crisis, successfully evacuating several crew members, the vessel's master and an oiler remain unaccounted for since their last signal was recorded around 03:00 a.m. UTC. The crew boat 'Panicker' arrived at the scene a few hours post-incident, staying on site to assist. As investigations unfold, it remains ambiguous who orchestrated the assault; however, tensions have escalated in the area, especially after Iran issued threats against maritime vessels following a US and Israel-led invasion. Standing at coordinates 26° 17' N 056° 16' E in the Persian Gulf, the 'Skylight' had been designated for sanctions by the U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on December 18, 2025, for purportedly acting as a lookout vessel monitoring shipping activity on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. For further details, viewers can check reports enhanced with visuals from reputable sources: [Seatrade Maritime](https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/security/seafarer-killed-as-three-tankers-hit-in-middle-east), [Ekathimerini](https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/foreign-policy/1296684/four-ships-attacked-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-one-greek-flagged/), [Twitter Video 1](https://twitter.com/i/status/2028097204657791040), [Twitter Video 2](https://twitter.com/i/status/2028040393078587610).

The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) has brought attention to the abandonment case of the vessel MERMAID, identified by IMO number 9330020. Key Details: - Flag: St Kitts & Nevis - Port of Registration: Al Hamriyah, UAE - Duration of Owed Wages: 3 months - Crew Count: 20 seafarers - Nationalities Represented: Georgia, India, Russia, Ukraine - Date Reported to ITF: February 1, 2022 - Case Status: Open This situation is part of the ITF’s ongoing efforts to monitor and report on crew abandonment cases globally, ensuring the rights and well-being of seafarers are upheld.

On January 12, 2019, the United States Coast Guard successfully carried out a medical evacuation of a 25-year-old male crew member approximately five miles off the coast of Sabine Pass, Texas, from the vessel 'Caribe Cristina.' The urgent medevac request prompted the Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders to take action after being notified about the injured crew member's condition. Following consultation with the duty flight surgeon, the decision was made for the evacuation. A response crew from Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass swiftly deployed a 45-foot Response Boat–Medium to the site of the incident. Upon arrival, the Coast Guard team carefully transferred the injured man onto their vessel, ensuring he received the necessary medical attention. He was then handed over to emergency medical services personnel waiting at Station Sabine Pass, where further medical care could be administered. Conditions at the scene included two-foot waves and winds blowing at 12 mph, which the Coast Guard crew navigated effectively during the operation. This successful medevac highlights the Coast Guard's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals at sea.

On March 7 at 11:00 a.m., the tanker 'Krystal Harbour' approached the port of Setubal amidst an ongoing search for a missing crewmember. Unfortunately, search operations were temporally halted due to adverse weather conditions. Emergency response efforts included the corvette 'Jacinto Candido', a lifeboat from the Sesimbra station, and an EH 101 Merlin helicopter, supported by an aircraft from the Portuguese Air Force. Three merchant ships and two tugs, contracted by the vessel's owner, also joined the mission. The tanker is set to anchor in the harbor, where it will undergo a thorough inspection. This incident followed an explosion on board the ship on March 6 at 08:12 a.m., while it was navigating 13 miles southwest of Cape Espichel.

On March 6 at 8 p.m., the Portuguese Navy assured that the risk of fuel spillage was minimal, allowing the tanker 'Harbour Krystal' to proceed to Sines. The vessel is set to unload an impressive 8,000 tons of fuel oil at the port. During this short journey, the 'Harbour Krystal' will receive protection from the corvette 'Jacinto Cândido - F476', along with potential assistance from one of the Svitzer tugs on standby, arranged by the ship's owner. After completing the unloading process in Sines, the 'Harbour Krystal' will head to Setúbal for essential repairs.