Mangaluru: The Coast Guard Headquarters, Karnataka was actively involved in yet another SAR operation wherein 10 fishermen were rescued from IFB sea shell, 100 Km west of Malpe belonging to Kannur district of Kerala.
The boat has been in distress since January 20 due to flooding in machinery compartment and multiple machinery failure onboard. Indian Coast Guard Remote Operating Centre (ROS) Mangalore received the distress call from fishing boat and immediately ICG Samar in the area was diverted for rendering assistance.
On January 21, ICGS Samar located the fishing boat about 90 Km west of Malpe, carried out night boarding operations and undertook repairs for stopping the ingress of water into the boat. The crew was provided with necessary assistance and fishing boat taken under tow by the ship. ICGS Samar handed over the boat along with the 10 crew to DD Fisheries off old Mangalore port on January 22.
On completion of SAR, DIG S S Dasila, Coast Guard Commander, Karnataka brought out the issue of negligence on part of the owners of fishing boats of not keeping track of the boats once they ventured into the sea in terms of safety and security of the crew. The matter is being taken up with state and district administration for ensuring that the owners be made more responsible and play an active role in ensuring safety and security of the crew onboard once they venture into the sea for fishing.
The Commander further stated that towing of fishing boat is not per se, a role of ICG. However, in this instance, it was undertaken on humanitarian grounds. Units of ICG are ever ready to safeguard the national maritime interest, he added.
