The United States Coast Guard's seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic has left an Indian family in Himachal Pradesh in a state of profound anxiety. A 26-year-old youth from Palampur is among three Indian nationals detained as part of the 28-member crew, with his father making a desperate appeal for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic intervention to secure his son's safe return.
Family's Anguish and Plea for High-Level Help
The detained seafarer, Rikshit Chauhan, had joined the Merchant Navy only in August last year, and this voyage was his first assignment at sea. His father, Ranjit Singh Chauhan (58), a clerk in Palampur's revenue department, recounted their last communication. On January 7, Rikshit informed his family via WhatsApp that he would be out of contact for up to six weeks as the ship entered a zone with poor communication signals. He specifically asked them not to worry.
"I took it lightly," said Chauhan. "However, two days later, I came to know through media reports that the ship on which my son was serving had been seized and the crew detained." The family's attempts to contact Rikshit since then have failed, with his phone remaining unreachable.
Expressing grave concern over the lack of official communication, Chauhan stated, "So far, no official — neither from the Indian government nor from the Russian side — has contacted us. We are completely in the dark." He emphasized the complexity of the situation, noting it involves international sanctions and maritime law. "I firmly believe that my son can be released only if the matter is taken up at the level of Prime Minister Narendra Modi," he asserted, his voice choked with emotion.
Details of the Tanker Seizure and Crew
The vessel at the center of the international incident is the oil tanker Marinera, previously named Bella 1. It had been chartered by a private trader and was reportedly carrying Venezuelan-linked crude oil. The ship was en route to Russia when it was intercepted and seized by the US Coast Guard on Wednesday, January 10, 2026, in connection with alleged sanctions violations.
Apart from Rikshit Chauhan from Himachal Pradesh, the other two Indian crew members hail from Goa and Kerala. The rest of the 28-strong crew comprised 20 Ukrainians, six Georgians, and two Russians. The ship was commanded by a Russian captain, with a Ukrainian officer serving as the second-in-command. All crew members are currently under detention by US authorities, pending legal and diplomatic proceedings.
Local and Administrative Response
The distress of the Chauhan family has prompted action at the local administrative level in Himachal Pradesh. Kangra's Deputy Commissioner, Hemraj Bairwa, confirmed that the district administration is in the process of contacting the Indian embassy concerning their resident. Local officials are maintaining contact with the family.
Local MLA Ashish Butail has also stepped in, assuring the family of all possible assistance. He has written to the state's Chief Secretary, Sanjay Gupta, urging him to take up the issue urgently with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The goal is to intensify diplomatic efforts for the early and safe release of the three detained Indian nationals. To facilitate official follow-up, Rikshit's crucial documents, including his Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), passport, and Aadhaar card, have been forwarded to higher authorities through local administrative channels.
The family, which includes Rikshit's elder brother, a bank manager, and his homemaker mother, had been proud of his career choice. However, their pride has now been overshadowed by fear and uncertainty as they await news of his fate, hoping for a swift and high-level resolution to this international ordeal.
