Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Skylight

**Title: Tragic Loss of Indian Seafarers Highlighted by Lack of Safety Equipment** Two Indian seafarers tragically lost their lives during a devastating attack on the tanker 'Skylight' off the coast of Oman on March 1. The incident raised alarm as investigations suggest that the men may not have had access to the necessary equipment to break portholes and escape the engulfing flames. As the fire spread rapidly, the 'Skylight' was engulfed by flames from two sides, trapping crew members Ashish Kumar, a captain from Bihar, and Dalip Singh from Rajasthan within the accommodation area. Amid the chaos, escape routes were severely limited. Ashish Kumar found himself cornered in the master’s cabin while Dalip Singh was stuck in the accommodation block. The only viable means of escape would have been through the front portholes, yet reports indicate that critical tools needed to shatter the glass and create an exit were likely not available on board. The fire's fierce advance consumed the accommodation area, effectively sealing off other exit paths. Sadly, officials have since recovered severely charred skeletal remains from the captain’s cabin, believed to belong to Ashish Kumar, with DNA testing underway for confirmation. Arrangements are being made for his family to travel to Dubai for identification purposes. Meanwhile, Dalip Singh's whereabouts remain unknown, and he is currently presumed deceased. In a related incident, another Indian seafarer, Dixit Solanki, an oiler hailing from Mumbai, also lost his life in this turbulent region. Solanki was fatally injured when a suspected missile strike struck the engine room of the tanker 'MKD Vyom', also operating near Oman, trapping him inside before he could escape. These incidents underscore the critical importance of safety measures and readiness in the maritime industry, drawing attention to the urgent need for improved equipment and training to ensure seafarers' safety in perilous situations.

**Title: Fire-Damaged Tanker 'Skylight' Faces Sinking Threat in Strait of Hormuz** On March 1, 2023, the oil tanker 'Skylight' was struck by an unmanned surface vehicle (USV), resulting in a raging fire that jeopardizes the vessel's stability and raises concerns about potential cargo spillage into the Gulf waters. This distressing incident occurred about five nautical miles north of Khasab port in Oman, within the critical shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz. The attack has been attributed to Iranian forces, who assert it was a necessary response to what they termed an “illegal” navigation through the strait, enforcing Tehran's directive following their announcement to close the waterway in light of escalating US-Israeli airstrikes in the region. This event marks the first established assault on a commercial ship in this vital maritime corridor amid rising tensions between Iran and Western nations. As the situation unfolded, nearby vessels promptly answered the distress signal from the 'Skylight', facilitating the swift evacuation of its crew members to onshore facilities. Those injured in the incident received immediate medical attention for burns and other trauma-related injuries. Operated by Red Sea Ship Management, the 'Skylight' has previously faced sanctions due to allegations regarding its involvement in the transportation of Iranian petroleum products throughout the Persian Gulf. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has confirmed that the ship encountered a targeted attack from a USV, further highlighting the escalating risks faced by commercial shipping in the region. This incident not only raises alarms over maritime safety but also underlines the geopolitical tensions that continue to influence shipping routes in this vital area of international trade.

**Title: Attack on Tanker 'Skylight' Leaves Two Missing and Four Injured** In a shocking incident, the tanker 'Skylight' was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on March 1, 2026, prompting immediate concern for maritime safety in this critical shipping lane. The assault left four crew members injured, necessitating urgent medical attention. The vessel, with a crew comprised predominantly of Indian and Iranian nationals, was five nautical miles from Musandam at the Strait's entrance when the event occurred, resulting in a fire on board. The 'Skylight' had arrived in the region on February 22, operating in ballast with a total of 20 crew members—15 from India and five from Iran. Fortunately, the Omani Navy acted quickly to facilitate the evacuation of the crew following the attack. However, the ship's master and an oiler remain unaccounted for, with the last communication from the vessel registered at 03:00 a.m. UTC. The crew boat 'Panicker' responded promptly, reaching the incident scene within hours to assist in the search and stabilization of the area. As of now, the identity of the attackers is still unknown. Nonetheless, tensions in the region have escalated, with Iran reportedly issuing threats against maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz following military actions involving the United States and Israel. Positioned at coordinates 26° 17' N, 056° 16' E in the Persian Gulf, the 'Skylight' had previously attracted attention when it was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on December 18, 2025. Authorities labeled the tanker as a lookout vessel allegedly monitoring ship movements in the sensitive Hormuz Strait on behalf of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards. For ongoing updates and comprehensive coverage, please refer to the following sources for reports, photos, and videos: - [Seatrade Maritime Security News](https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/security/seafarer-killed-as-three-tankers-hit-in-middle-east) - [Ekathimerini Foreign Policy](https://www.ekathimerini.com/politics/foreign-policy/1296684/four-ships-attacked-in-the-strait-of-hormuz-one-greek-flagged/) - [Twitter Update 1](https://twitter.com/i/status/2028097204657791040) - [Twitter Update 2](https://twitter.com/i/status/2028040393078587610)

Vessel MERMAID (IMO: 9330020) has been reported to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) for abandonment. Details: - Flag: St Kitts & Nevis - Port: Al Hamriyah - Country: UAE - Owed Wages: 3 months - Number of Seafarers: 20 - Seafarer Nationalities: Georgia, India, Russia, Ukraine - Reported to ITF: 01 Feb 2022 - Status: Open This information is sourced from the ITF Seafarers abandonment list, which tracks cases of crew abandonment worldwide.

The US Coast Guard medevaced a 25-year-old man five miles offshore of Sabine Pass, Texas, from the "Caribe Cristina" in the afternoon of Jan 12, 2019. Coast Guard Sector Houston-Galveston watchstanders received a request from the vessel stating a crewmember aboard the vessel was in need of medical assistance. Watchstanders consulted with the duty flight surgeon who recommended the medevac. A Coast Guard Station Sabine Pass 45-foot Response Boat–Medium boat crew was launched to the scene. The crew of the RB-M transferred the crew member to awaiting emergency medical services personnel at Station Sabine Pass. Weather on scene was reported as two-foot seas with 12-mph winds.

On Mar 7 at 11 a.m. the "Krystal Harbour" arrived off the port of Setubal, while a crewmember of the vessel remained missing. The search had to be suspended due to weather conditions. On site were the corvette "Jacinto Candido", a lifeboat of the station Sesimbra, an EH 101 Merlin helicopter,an aircraft of the Portuguese Air Force, three merchant ships and two tugs hired by the shipowner. The ship was to anchor at the harbor, where it will be subject to an inspection. On Mar 6 at 08:12 a.m. an Explosion had occurred on board when the tanker was sailing 13 miles southwest of Cape Espichel.

On Mar 6 at 8 p.m. the Portuguese Navy reported that the risk of a spillage remained slim, and the "Harbour Krystal" has now been cleared to proceed to Sines, where she will unload the 8.000 tons of fuel oil on board. In this short voyage she will be escorted by the corvette "Jacinto Cândido - F476", and possibly by one of the Svitzer tugs called-in by the ship owner. Once the unloading operations have been completed at Sines, the "Harbour Krystal" will sail to Setúbal, where she will undergo the necessary repairs.