17 Feb 2021
In yet another rescue mission, the Indian Coast Guard Region (East) provided succour to five fishermen in distress at sea. An Andaman & Nicobar registered fishing boat namely ‘Madhana Sea Foods’ with five fishermen onboard was reported to be in distress about 205 nautical miles East of Porto Nova (Karaikal) coast.
The boat was stranded due to engine breakdown. The distress message from the stranded boat transmitted through Distress Alert Transmitter(DAT) was received by the Indian Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre(MRCC). Upon receipt of information, in a swift operation, a sea-air coordinated rescue operation was launched.
A Coast Guard Dornier aircraft was launched and ICGS Annie Besant sailed from Chennai to undertake Search and Rescue operation. Additionally, International Safety Net was also activated to alert passing merchant vessels in area. The stranded boat along with the distressed crew were located by the ICG Aircraft and the crew were comforted.
Merchant Vessel Vishva Vijeta on the nearest location reached the distressed vessel and maintained in vicinity till arrival of ICGS Annie Besant. She undertook damage control to arrest the flooding in the engine room and provided necessary assistance to the crew. The boat is being towed to safety giving credence to the Indian Coast Guard motto ‘We Protect”.
The boat is being brought to Karaikal for handing over to the owner, who has been contacted and appraised of the situation.
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