Six aboard sinking Iranian launch saved

Four crew members of a sinking launch have been saved by an Iranian rescue vessel while two others were rescued by an American vessel in the Persian Gulf.

The launch was sailing from Dubai, the UAE to the Iranian port city of Genaveh when it experienced problems and slowly started to sink near Kish Island, Director General of Bushehr’s Crisis Management Gholamreza Keshtkar said on Friday.

The crew members sent an SOS signal and the coast guard’s dispatched a rescue vessel immediately, Keshtkar told IRNA.

“The rescue vessel managed to save four of the six crew members,” he said, adding that two other crew members remained aboard, trying to save the launch.

However, the launch sank and the two were drifted away. An American vessel in the area noticed the two men and came to their rescue.

“Under maritime regulations, all vessels and sailors are duty-bound to help those onboard sinking ships,” Keshtkar said.

The official said the incident took place on Wednesday and that the American vessel has handed over the two sailors to Iranian authorities.