JEDDAH — The Saudi Border Guard official spokesman said that a Iran-flagged oil tanker, carrying a crew of 26 sailors, was rescued off Jeddah coast — 70 nautical miles south-west of Jeddah Islamic Port on Thursday.

The spokesman for the General Directorate of Border Guard announced that the Search and Rescue Coordination Center in Jeddah (JMRCC) had received a message from Jeddah Islamic Port and the Saudi Search and Rescue Center at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) of a ship in distress.

The spokesman added that in addition to the message they had received an SOS distress signal from the ship Happiness I, with the ship's captain asking for help. The vessel, because of engine failure and loss of control, was in need of a tow to safety.

On ascertaining all information, it turned out that Happiness I, flying the Iranian flag, and sailing with a crew of 26 sailors, comprising 24 Iranian nationals and 2 Bangladeshi nationals was in distress.

Saudi Arabia immediately launched the National Plan for the Prevention of Marine Disasters in coordination with the parties involved in the plan. Several vessels belonging to the Border Guard, the Saudi Ports Authority, Saudi Aramco and Bahri company were involved in the operation to rescue the ship and its crew.

To ensure that there were no environmental damage or contamination, the national plan to combat pollution was activated and Security Aviation was tasked with surveying the area aerially.

The official spokesman said the Kingdom received a formal request, through the Saudi Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, from the Chargé d'Affaires of the Iranian delegation seeking assistance, which had already been launched immediately on receiving the distress signal.

“All necessary precautions were taken to ensure the safety of the ship’s crew and provide necessary support and assistance,” he said.

“This action comes under the guidance of the wise leadership — may God preserve it — and stems from the humanitarian role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as usual in such cases,” said the spokesman of the General Directorate of the Border Guard. — SPA