M/V SHAYESTEH listing in the Arabian Gulf. Photo courtesy CENT COM

Below is a News release from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs. Other reports, here and here, indicate that the ship was Iranian owned but of Qatari registry and the rescued included five Iranians and two Indian nationals.

Feb 15, 2024
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U.S. 5TH FLEET – The U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast-response cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. (WPC 1147) seizes a vessel carrying military-grade weapons and other lethal supplies in the Arabian Sea, Jan. 28. Clarence Sutphin Jr. operates in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

20250218-G-NO416-1001 CENTRAL ARABIAN GULF – A U.S. Coast Guard team from the fast-response cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin, Jr. (WPC 1147) rescue seven mariners as their vessel slowly sinks in the Central Arabian Gulf, Feb. 18. The mine countermeasures ship USS Devastator (MCM 6) watches over the scene as backup during the rescue operation. (Photo by U.S. Coast Guard)

USCGC Clarence Sutphin Jr. Rescues Seven Mariners

February 19, 2025

Crewmembers of the U.S. Coast Guard fast-response cutter USCGC Clarence Sutphin, Jr. (WPC-1147) and the mine countermeasures ship USS Devastator (MCM 6) rescued seven mariners from a disabled vessel in the international waters of the Central Arabian Gulf, Feb. 18.

Following a distress signal from the mariners, the Coastguardsmen embarked a rigid-hull inflatable boat to offer assistance. After determining the vessel was no longer sea worthy, the Coastguardsmen brought the mariners back to their ship. Devastator provided back-up support during the operation.

None of the mariners appeared to be injured.

“Providing assistance at sea to mariners in distress is a core Coast Guard mission,” said Coast Guard Lt. Michael O’Dell, Clarence Sutphin, Jr.’s commanding officer. “It is inherently dangerous, but the team executed without hesitation – without fear – to extend their compassion to people in a dire situation. I’m incredibly proud of to be a part of this team.”

Clarence Sutphin, Jr. is forward deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations as part of Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Devastator is an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship also forward deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet. Both ships help ensure maritime security and stability in the Middle East region.

The U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations encompasses about 2.5 million square miles of water area and includes the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea and parts of the Indian Ocean. The expanse is comprised of 20 countries and includes three critical choke points at the Strait of Hormuz, the Suez Canal and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb at the southern tip of Yemen.