Eight fishermen off Odisha coast and 13 fishermen off West Bengal coast were rescued

Eight fishermen off Odisha coast and 13 fishermen off West Bengal coast were rescued

Eight fishermen off Odisha coast and 13 fishermen off West Bengal coast were rescued

In a challenging operation, the Indian Coast Guard rescued eight people from a stranded fishing boat, Yohana Devudu, off Odisha coast. According to reports, the boat, which ventured into sea on June 21 for fishing, lost contact since June 26. The Assistant Director (Fisheries), Kakinda intimated the Indian Coast Guard on July 5 to locate the missing boat with non-operational engine and rudder.

Maritime Rescue Sub Centre, Paradip on receipt of information immediately sailed out ICGS Sarojini Naidu on July 6 to assist the boat in distress in coordination with Coast Guard's Dornier aircraft in a sea-air coordinated operation. The ship established communication with the boat master at around 5pm on July 6. Subsequently, the distressed boat was provided with food and potable water along with medicines.

As the prevailing weather and sea condition was non-conducive, accompanied by heavy swell and strong winds, ICGS Sarojini Naidu commenced towing operation at 6pm on July 6 to ensure safety of eight crews. The ship safely brought the fishing boat under tow off Paradip and entered Paradip Harbour at 7.15 am on July 7. On arrival, all the fishermen were medically examined and reported to be in good health.

Tara Shankar

Thirteen crew members onboard Indian fishing boat ‘Tara Shankar’ have been rescued from about 60 NM inside Bangladesh waters on July 6, in a coordinated operation between Indian Coast Guard and Bangladesh Coast Guard amid very rough seas and inclement weather.

Last afternoon, Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters in Kolkata had received a telephonic message from Assistant Director (Fisheries), Diamond Harbour regarding the distressed Indian Fishing Boat “Tara Shankar” with 13 crew from Kakdwip, West Bengal.

On receipt of the information and considering the rough sea/inclement weather conditions, the Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters immediately contacted Bangladesh Coast Guard West Zone Headquarters at Mongla. On the request of Indian Coast Guard, one Bangladesh Naval ship on patrol was diverted and one Bangladesh Coast Guard ship sailed from Mongla harbour for search and rescue.

Bangladesh Navy ship located the Indian disabled boat with 13 crew onboard near Mongla Fair Way Buoy in the evening and rescued the boat and all crew members. Despite very high sea conditions (against 5-6 metres of swell), Bangladesh Naval ship took the Indian disabled boat under tow and brought to Pussur River mouth, where 100 more Indian fishing boats (IFB) were sighted. These IFBs had taken shelter due to rough seas & inclement weather. After coordination efforts by Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters, Kolkata with Bangladesh Coast Guard, the Indian disabled boat was handed over to one of the operational IFBs for towing back to India. As sea was rough, all the IFBs including the disabled boat under tow were guided by Bangladesh Naval ship for taking passage through riverine/coastal route westward upto Haribhanga river.

The prompt operation could be executed because Indian Coast Guard and Bangladesh Coast Guard have a ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ followed by a ‘Standard Operating Procedure’ for helping each other during such incidences and making waters of north Bay of Bengal safe.

TAGS