Five Indian Crew Missing After Launch Boat Capsizes While Joining Tanker Off Mozambique
Beira (Mozambique), October 16, 2025 | One Ocean Academy News Desk
Mumbai/Beira (Mozambique), October 16, 2025 — In a major maritime accident, a service launch boat carrying Indian crew members to the oil tanker MT Sea Quest capsized near Beira Port, Mozambique, on Thursday. Out of the 12 Indian seafarers on board, five have been rescued safely, two were found unresponsive, and five remain missing.
This information was officially conveyed by the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Mumbai, to the Maritime Administration of the Marshall Islands, as the vessel is registered under the Marshall Islands flag.
⚓ Incident Overview
On the morning of October 16, the Sea Quest was anchored off Beira Port, awaiting its turn to berth. A launch boat operated by Scorpio Marine Management India Pvt. Ltd. (RPSL-MUM-165) was ferrying 12 on-signing Indian crew members to the ship when it suddenly capsized alongside the vessel’s starboard side.
According to DG Shipping, the weather was clear and calm at the time, with no rain, no strong winds, and only mild current — ruling out adverse weather as a cause.
✈️ Crew Status
- Safe (5): Second Officer Ankit Kumar, Third Officer Sreerag Thayyil Purappodi, Pumpman Sunilkumar Tandel, Oiler Azim Mukadam, and Able Seaman Narendra Behara.
- Unresponsive (2): Ordinary Seaman Ruban Rayar and Ordinary Seaman Mohan Singh Shekhawat (under medical care and resuscitation efforts).
- Missing (5): ETO Sreerag Radhakrishnan, Bosun Tharakeswara Rao, AB Saileshkumar Solanki, AB Mubeen Koruhajige Athirige, and Chief Cook Nandan Singh.
Official Response
Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan has requested the Marshall Islands Maritime Administration to conduct a fact-finding investigation and share the report with India at the earliest. The Government of India is closely monitoring the situation to ensure safety and welfare of the crew.
The Sea Quest, a 49,990 DWT product tanker built in 2012, has been anchored off Beira since last week after arriving from the UAE. Scorpio Marine Management has stated it is in contact with families and that a full investigation will be conducted.
Sources: Directorate General of Shipping (India), The Maritime Executive, Marine Insight, verified social media reports.
Written by: News Tanks Maritime Desk | One Ocean Academy
