US Navy and Coast Guard Successfully Rescue Seven Mariners from Sinking Iranian Vessel in Arabian Gulf
US naval forces successfully rescued seven mariners from a sinking Iranian commercial vessel in the Arabian Gulf. The rescue operation involved the USS DEVASTATOR (MCM 6) and the US Coast Guard Cutter CLARENCE SUTPHIN JR (WPC 1147), which responded to a mayday call from the M/V SHAYESTEH. The vessel, flying a Qatari flag while in territorial waters, developed a significant list before ultimately sinking.
Officials confirmed that “the five Iranian and two Indian mariners are safely onboard USCGC CLARENCE SUTPHIN JR and are receiving follow-up medical care.”
This rescue underscores the ongoing mission of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA), a permanent US presence based in Bahrain. PATFORSWA operates with six 154-foot Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters, including the USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr., one 110-foot Island Class Patrol Boat, and maintains a 150-member mission support detachment, focusing on maritime operations across the Middle East in support of US Naval Forces Central Command.
Source: CENTCOM
Established in 2003 during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, PATFORSWA continues to provide maritime interdiction, theater security cooperation, and maritime domain awareness operations in the region.
In June 2024, the Iranian frigate IRIN Jamaran was just eight nautical miles from the M/V Verbena when it caught fire after being struck by Houthi missiles in the Red Sea, but it did not respond to the distress call. The crew of the Verbena abandoned ship and were rescued by the merchant vessel M/V Anna Meta.
