Sovcomflot Tanker Rescues Crew from Sinking Vessel near Yemen

The Russian state tanker operator Sovcomflot recently shared information and photos of a crew that had to abandon their vessel, the Lavant, south of Yemen. The reasons for the distress and whether it was due to a Houthi attack were not specified. Security analysts are unclear if the vessel was targeted by the Houthis, while the UK Maritime Trade Organizations classified it as a SOLAS incident. The NS Africa, a crude oil tanker, was sailing from India to Europe after delivering Russian oil when it received the distress call from the Lavant.

The Lavant, a mysterious vessel reportedly registered in Comoros without a valid IMO number, was sailing from the UAE to Somalia when the distress call was issued. Sovcomflot swiftly responded to the distress call, reaching the crew within an hour and rescuing the 19 individuals from the life raft. The crew, consisting of individuals from India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Indonesia, were provided with food and water by the crew of the NS Africa.

Sovcomflot reported that the NS Africa is heading to the Suez Canal with the rescued individuals, who will be disembarked on June 29. The UK Maritime Trade Organizations also received a report from a vessel in the same location as the distress call, confirming uncontrolled flooding and the crew abandoning ship. The Lavant reportedly sank off the east coast of Yemen on June 23.

Source .