Mangaluru: The fishing trawler ‘Safawi’ caught fire early Monday morning while on a deep-sea expedition in the Arabian Sea, approximately 77 nautical miles from the Mangaluru fisheries harbour. The fire, which broke out in the engine room, is suspected to have been caused by an electrical short circuit. It rapidly spread, leading to the vessel capsizing.
The crew aboard the ‘Safawi’ were successfully rescued by members of a nearby boat. Fortunately, there were no reported casualties. The fire and subsequent sinking of the trawler have resulted in an estimated loss of Rs 1 crore. The fishing season had recently resumed on August 1 after a 61-day ban, and the ‘Safawi’ had set out for its expedition on August 4.
The incident underscores the risks associated with deep-sea fishing and highlights the importance of rigorous safety protocols to prevent such occurrences.