Successful Rescue Mission for MV/ISA STAR by Djibouti Ports and Free Zones Authority

On December 6th, DPFZA conducted a successful rescue mission for the MV/ISA STAR, following a distress situation reported the previous day.

On December 5th, the MV/ISA STAR issued an urgent distress call after being attacked and experiencing severe flooding in its engine room.

The vessel's captain, facing an escalating emergency, announced the crew’s intention to abandon the ship, leaving their belongings behind (even their passports). The cargo onboard comprised machinery transported from the Adriatic Sea in Europe to Batam, Indonesia. Fortunately, the captain confirmed there was no dangerous cargo on the vessel.

The MV/ISA STAR had 20 crew members onboard, including 15 Indian nationals, one Vietnamese, one Indonesian, one Nepalese, and two Sri Lankans. In response to the captain’s request, a rescue operation was swiftly launched by ASPIDES.

All crew members were safely rescued to Djibouti the nearest safe port of call and transported abord the Barkhat Gourad Hamadou tugboat.

As a signatory to the 1974 SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Convention, Djibouti reaffirms its commitment to assisting vessels in distress at sea.

The Chairman of the Ports and Free Zones Authority emphasized that the safety and welfare of seafarers are indispensable to sustaining maritime trade.