Himachal youth among crew on Russian tanker seized by US, family seeks PM’s help

A 26 year old merchant navy officer from Himachal Pradesh’s Kangra district is among the three Indian crew members aboard a Russian flagged oil tanker seized by the United States Coast Guard in the North Atlantic, triggering appeals from his family to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his safe return.

Rakshit Chauhan , a resident of Palampur in Kangra district , was serving as a crew member on the tanker Marinera , which was intercepted and seized by US Coast Guard authorities on January 7 while sailing in international waters of the North Atlantic . The vessel was reportedly transporting crude oil linked to Venezuela, a country facing US sanctions, which led to the enforcement action by American authorities.

According to the family, this was Rakshit’s first sea assignment after joining the merchant navy on August 1, 2025. He had been recruited by a Russian shipping company and was sent to Venezuela as part of the vessel’s oil transport operation. Rakshit’s father, Ranjit Singh Chauhan, said the tanker had waited for nearly ten days near maritime borders during the voyage before the company instructed it to return, following which it was seized.

The tanker had a multinational crew of 28 members at the time of seizure, including three Indians, 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians and two Russians. All crew members are currently under detention pending further legal and diplomatic procedures.

Rakshit’s mother Reeta Devi made an emotional appeal to the Prime Minister and the External Affairs Minister, requesting immediate intervention for her son’s safe repatriation. She said the family last spoke to Rakshit on January 7, shortly before the vessel was seized. Adding to the family’s distress, she said Rakshit’s marriage has been fixed for February 19 and the family is praying for his return before the wedding.

The family has also sought assistance for the two other Indian crew members from Goa and Kerala who were on board the same vessel. The Palampur MLA has assured the family that he will raise the matter with the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister in Shimla and seek the Centre’s intervention.