Chennai: Indian Coast Guard saved six fishermen from Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu after their fishing craft developed a technical snag leaving them stranded 70 nautical miles off Cape Comorin.
Fisherman, Kennedy along with his five-member crew sailed in his fishing vessel 'El-Shadai' from Thengapattinam fishing harbour on November 16. The six fishemen hailed from Chinnathurai coastal village in Kanyakumari district.
On November 17, while they were fishing, the boat engine developed a technical snag mid-sea and their efforts to restart the engine failed. After their boat was crippled, the desperate fishermen started sending SOS messages in their wireless set, trying to reach out to other vessels in the vicinity.
A ship passing by picked up their distress message and relayed it to the Indian Coast Guard.
According to the Indian Coast Guard, Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre at Tuticorin received the message of distress on the late evening of November 17.
Sensing the urgency of distress, Indian Coast Guard Ship, Aadesh, on her regular patrol in Gulf of Mannar, was immediately diverted to proceed towards the area and undertake Search and Rescue.
The ship reached the area at about 8 am on Monday and started searching the crippled boat. Additionally, a Coast Guard Dornier aircraft was also tasked to carry out a sea-air coordinated search.
The Dornier sighted the boat at about 1:45 pm on Monday and vectored ICGS Aadesh to her. The crew attempted to rectify the defect in the clutch assembly, but the engine failed to start.
ICGS Aadesh provided logistics support and also made arrangements for further rectification on the engine, however, the attempts went in vain. So the ship commenced towing the stricken boat at about 4:30 pm on Monday.
Fishing boat El Sahadai was safely towed to Colachel and reached Thengapattanam fishing harbour 9:30 am on Tuesday. Coast Guard observed that the incident once again highlighted the disadvantages of fishing boats venturing out alone.
The fishermen are, therefore, advised to undertake fishing in groups, adhering to safe practices at sea and carry adequate lifesaving appliances and communication equipment on board, coast guard statement mentioned.
Fishermen community expressed their gratitude to the Indian Coast Guard for not only rescuing their lives but also towing the boat to fishing harbour since the fishing boat is their livelihood and losing her meant loss of their bread and butter.
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