TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Iranian Navy’s 42nd flotilla of warships rescued seven sailors aboard a vessel that had been adrift in the northern Indian Ocean for two weeks, a high-ranking Navy official announced.





Deputy Commander of Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi said the 42nd naval flotilla on Sunday came across a fishing vessel of the country in the Indian Ocean and saved its sailors.

He added that due to a serious damage to propulsion system of the vessel and in order to prevent a possible pirate attack, the vessel was towed by the fleet’s Alvand Destroyer.

The 42nd flotilla of warships set sail for international waters on July 18 as part of regular missions to ensure security of the country’s trade vessels.

The fleet, comprising Alvand destroyer and Tonb logistic warship, departed Iran’s southern coasts for the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

The flotilla set sail from the southern port city of Bandar Abbas after its predecessor, the 41st flotilla, returned home from a 48-day overseas mission, during which it sailed 5,130 nautical miles and escorted 46 Iranian ships and oil tankers in international waters.

In recent years, Iran’s naval forces have increased their presence in international waters to secure naval routes and protect merchant vessels and oil tankers against pirates.

By Tasnim News Agency