INS Trikand aids MV Golden Arsenal after reports of piracy attempt
New Delhi, July 3
MV Golden Arsenal, a St Vincent and the Grenadines-flagged bulk carrier, en route from Aden, Yemen, with 21 crew members, including one Indian national, reported an attempted pirate attack approximately 300 nautical miles east-northeast of Djibouti on the afternoon of July 1, a statement by Indian Navy said in a statement on Facebook on Friday.
Mission deployed INS Trikand, a stealth frigate of Indian Navy operating in the Gulf of Aden, responded swiftly to the reported piracy attempt and arrived in the vicinity of the vessel early on July 2.
The Master of MV Golden Arsenal confirmed the safety of all crew members despite damage to the bridge superstructure and adjoining compartments, the statement said.
Specialist teams from INS Trikand boarded the vessel and carried out sanitisation operation. No suspicious personnel were found onboard. Subsequently, the Indian Navy team safely moved the crew from the citadel and assisted in restoring the vessel to operational readiness for the continuation of her voyage.
Indian Navy P8I also undertook aerial surveillance and reconnaissance in support of the operation. With anti-piracy operations concluded and the vessel rendered safe for further transit, MV Golden Arsenal has resumed her voyage.
As preferred security partner, Indian Navy remains committed to safeguarding merchant shipping, countering piracy and ensuring safe and secure seas for all, the statement said.
Indian Navy Marine Commandos (MARCOS) boarded the affected vessel, MV Golden Arsenal, which had one Indian crew member on board. The vessel was carrying critical cargo for India, sources had told ANI earlier on Thursday.
According to sources, the crew locked themselves inside a safe room after pirates attempted to board the ship and alerted authorities through a communication channel. The pirates fled as INS Trikand approached the vessel. MARCOS later boarded and sanitised the ship.
Earlier, on June 19, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Trikand responded to a distress call from MV Fareeda 5 on a likely piracy attempt in the Western Indian Ocean and undertook prompt action to investigate and deter it.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Why is this not bigger news? Our Navy is literally defending global shipping lanes and saving lives, while the media is busy with trivial stuff. MARCOS commandos boarding and sanitizing the ship – that's next-level bravery. Respect for our naval forces.
As an American, I've got to say India's anti-piracy efforts are impressive. The combination of the stealth frigate INS Trikand and P8I surveillance aircraft shows real capability. Glad the crew including that one Indian sailor is safe. Solid coordination.
Good response but let's not ignore the bigger picture. Piracy in the Gulf of Aden has been rising again due to instability in Yemen. India needs to strengthen its naval presence and maybe joint patrols with other friendly nations. Also, insurance costs for Indian shipping companies are soaring. Need a long-term strategy, not just reactive measures.
Bravo Zulu to the Indian Navy! As a maritime security analyst based in the UK, I can confirm this is standard operating procedure for your Navy – quick, professional, and effective. The fact that MV Golden Arsenal was carrying critical cargo for India shows these missions directly protect national interests.
I'm a merchant navy officer and let me tell you, the Indian Navy's presence in the Gulf of Aden is a blessing for all seafarers. When pirates try to board like this, those few minutes before help arrives feel like hours. Respect to the crew who locked themselves in the citadel and made the distress call – well trained! And INS Trikand arriving so quickly? Pure class.
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