The Pakistan Navy said on Thursday that it had successfully rescued 19 crew members aboard a fishing vessel stranded south of Gwadar due to engine failure.

In a statement, the navy said that the fishing vessel Al Jalali was in distress about 120 nautical miles south of Gwadar.

“A total of 19 crew members onboard the vessel, including 11 Pakistani and 8 Iranian nationals, were stranded at sea due to engine failure of the vessel,” the navy said.

“The situation was further aggravated by deteriorating weather conditions in the North Arabian Sea during the ongoing monsoon, placing the lives of the crew in immediate danger,” it added.

It said that upon receiving the distress call, the Joint Maritime Information Coordination Centre promptly coordinated with Pakistan Navy to initiate an immediate search and rescue operation.

PNS Taimur was immediately tasked to undertake the rescue operation and provide assistance to the stranded fishing vessel, it said.

“​Owing to the swift and timely response, crew members of Al Jalali were provided with food, drinking water, and medical care at sea, and the stranded vessel was thereafter towed safely towards shore,” it said.

Commending the Pakistani Navy for the successful operation, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it reflected the navy’s determination and preparedness to protect human lives at sea, according to state broadcaster PTV News.

The statement carried by PTV News also quoted him as saying that the provision of food, drinking water and medical care to the fishing vessel’s crew by navy personnel was an example of the armed forces’ humanity and professional training.

President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to the Pakistan Navy for rescuing the fishermen.

“The rescue of Pakistani and Iranian nationals is a manifestation of Pakistan Navy’s high professional skills and humanitarian compassion,” he said.

“The protection of human lives at sea is a testament to Pakistan Navy’s full commitment to its national and international responsibilities,” he added.

Earlier this month, the Pakistan Navy, in coordination with the Pakistan Maritime Security Agency, successfully rescued all 20 crew members from a sinking cargo dhow operating east of Ormara.