Kundapur: A fishing boat that had set out from Malpe port sank in the Arabian Sea near Maravanthe late Friday night after water entered the vessel. All six fishermen aboard the boat were safely rescued by the crews of two nearby fishing boats.
The vessel, named Sinchana, belonged to Krishna Puthran, a resident of Kota Kadri Kattu. The boat had departed from Malpe on August 12 for a fishing trip.
Water enters boat after impact
The incident occurred on the night of August 14 when an unidentified object reportedly struck the bottom of the fishing boat while it was at sea.
Following the impact, water began entering the vessel rapidly. The crew noticed that the boat was taking in water and was in danger of sinking.
Fishermen aboard the nearby boats Brindavana and Guru Darshan noticed the situation and immediately moved towards the distressed vessel. They reached the location and safely rescued all six fishermen aboard Sinchana.
The prompt response by the nearby crews helped avert a major tragedy, as the fishing boat was already taking in a significant amount of water.
Rescue crews attempt to tow vessel
After rescuing the fishermen, the crews of Brindavana and Guru Darshan attempted to save the damaged fishing boat.
They secured ropes to the sinking vessel and tried to tow it towards the shore. However, rough sea conditions made the rescue operation difficult.
The boat was approximately 12 miles from the Gangolli lighthouse when the towing rope reportedly snapped due to the force of the strong waves.
With the vessel continuing to take in water, the fishermen were unable to prevent it from sinking. The Sinchana subsequently became completely submerged in the sea.
Fishing equipment and catch lost
The sinking of the boat resulted in substantial financial losses for its owner. A complaint has been filed estimating the total loss at up to Rs 45 lakh.
The losses reportedly include the fishing boat and equipment stored on board. Around 2,500 litres of diesel, a GPS device, wireless communication equipment and fishing nets were among the items lost when the vessel sank.
The fishermen’s catch, valued at approximately Rs 2.50 lakh, was also lost in the incident.
The financial loss is expected to have a significant impact on the boat owner, particularly as the vessel and fishing equipment represent a major investment required for regular fishing operations.
Coastal security police register case
Following the incident, a complaint was filed at the Gangolli Coastal Security Police Station.
A case has been registered in connection with the sinking of the fishing boat. The circumstances surrounding the incident, including the unidentified object that reportedly struck the bottom of the vessel, will be examined as part of the proceedings.
The incident also highlights the risks faced by fishermen operating in the Arabian Sea, particularly during rough weather and challenging sea conditions.
Despite the loss of the vessel and fishing equipment, the safe rescue of all six fishermen has provided relief to their families and fellow fishing community members. The swift intervention by the crews of Brindavana and Guru Darshan played a crucial role in ensuring that the incident did not result in loss of life.