Somali Navy rescues crew from distressed bulk carrier Jacuar

The Somali Navy has successfully rescued all 18 crew members from the bulk carrier Jacuar after the vessel grounded and began taking on water. The crew members include nationals from India, Syria, and Egypt.

The Jacuar, a 100-meter vessel sailing under the flag of Saint Kitts and Nevis, was reportedly traveling from Mozambique to Egypt with 7,007 tonnes of unspecified cargo when the incident occurred. While some media reports suggest the vessel may have capsized, official confirmation regarding the exact cause of the grounding or the specific location of the incident remains unavailable.

The vessel has a history of safety concerns, including previous detentions by Jordanian authorities and inspections by Egyptian authorities that cited deck corrosion and faulty engine-room gauges. This rescue highlights the ongoing efforts of the Somali government to rebuild and expand its maritime forces, which have been largely dormant since the early 1990s. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has previously taken steps to strengthen the Somali National Army by appointing new naval leadership to enhance maritime security.