Kundapur: A fishing boat that had ventured into the sea from Malpe harbour sank after taking in water between Kundapur and Gangolli, with all five fishermen on board rescued safely by fellow fishermen.
The boat, named Sri Durgaparameshwari, was owned by Nagaraj Putran of Kemmannu. The vessel had set out for fishing from Malpe harbour on the night of February 23. The incident occurred the following day while the boat was operating in the waters off the Kundapur–Gangolli stretch.
The rescued fishermen have been identified as Prakash, Ranjith, Raghavendra, Rama and Srinivasa, all natives of Kumta in Uttara Kannada district.
Water entered engine compartment
According to initial reports, on February 24 an unidentified object is believed to have struck the lower portion of the boat while it was at sea. The impact reportedly caused damage to the hull, leading to water seeping into the engine compartment.
As water accumulated inside, the engine stopped functioning, leaving the vessel stranded in the sea. The fishermen attempted to manually bail out the water to prevent further flooding. However, their efforts proved unsuccessful as the inflow continued and sea conditions began to worsen.
Realising the gravity of the situation, the crew alerted nearby fishing boats for assistance.
Rescue operation at sea
Fishermen aboard another vessel, Sri Krishna, which had also departed from Malpe, responded promptly to the distress call. They were joined by personnel from the Coastal Security Police, who coordinated rescue efforts in the area.
All five fishermen from Sri Durgaparameshwari were safely shifted to the Sri Krishna boat. Authorities confirmed that none of the fishermen sustained injuries in the incident.
The timely response by fellow fishermen and the Coastal Security Police averted a potential tragedy in the rough waters.
Towing attempt fails amid rough weather
Following the rescue, efforts were made to salvage the damaged boat. The vessel was tied with a rope and towed towards Gangolli harbour by the Sri Krishna boat. The towing operation continued for approximately 8 to 9 nautical miles.
However, due to strong winds and rough sea conditions, the rope snapped before the boat could reach the harbour. Shortly thereafter, the damaged vessel sank completely into the sea.
Officials said adverse weather conditions and the extent of damage to the hull contributed to the inability to save the boat.
Estimated loss of ₹60–65 lakh
Boat owner Nagaraj Putran stated that the sinking of Sri Durgaparameshwari has resulted in an estimated financial loss of ₹60–65 lakh. The amount includes the cost of the vessel, fishing equipment, nets and engine components.
The loss has dealt a significant blow to the owner and crew, as fishing operations are a primary source of livelihood for many families in the coastal region.
A case has been registered at the Gangolli Coastal Security Police Station in connection with the incident. Authorities are expected to conduct further inquiry into the circumstances that led to the damage, including the possibility of collision with submerged objects.
Fishermen community relieved
The fishing community in the region expressed relief that all five fishermen were rescued safely. Incidents of boats taking in water due to hull damage are not uncommon during the fishing season, particularly when sea conditions are unpredictable.
Officials have reiterated the importance of regular maintenance of vessels and adherence to safety protocols, including communication equipment and emergency response coordination among fishing crews.
While the financial loss remains substantial, the safe rescue of the fishermen has been viewed as a fortunate outcome. Further investigation is under way to ascertain the exact cause of the mishap.