Kundapur: Four fishermen from Murudeshwar were rescued after their fishing boat suffered engine failure and remained stranded in the middle of the sea on Friday evening.
The rescued fishermen have been identified as Raghavendra, Faizan, Nagendra and Dhanu, all residents of Murudeshwar.
The incident occurred after the Mahankali Prasad fishing boat, which had been purchased at Malpe by a fisherman from Murudeshwar, left Malpe harbour for Murudeshwar on Thursday evening. However, both engines of the vessel reportedly developed technical problems, leaving the boat stranded at sea.
Boat reported missing
After the engines stopped functioning, the fishermen aboard the vessel were left unable to navigate the boat. The situation became more difficult as there was no mobile network connectivity in the area, preventing them from contacting other fishermen or seeking immediate assistance.
The mobile phones of the fishermen on board were also switched off, making it difficult for their families and fellow fishermen to establish contact with them.
Another fishing boat that had departed from Malpe along with the Mahankali Prasad reached Murudeshwar as scheduled. However, when the Mahankali Prasad failed to arrive, concerns grew over the whereabouts of the vessel.
The boat was subsequently reported missing, prompting fishermen operating in the surrounding waters to begin searching for it.
Fishermen launch search operation
Several fishermen in boats operating in the vicinity joined the effort to locate the missing vessel. Despite searching the surrounding waters, they were initially unable to trace the Mahankali Prasad.
With the vessel stranded at sea and its engines reportedly not functioning, the four fishermen remained helpless while waiting for assistance.
The search continued until another deep-sea fishing boat spotted the stranded vessel.
Deep-sea fishing boat comes to rescue
The Mahaveer, a deep-sea fishing boat returning to Gangolli after completing its fishing operations, spotted the Mahankali Prasad while sailing back towards the coast.
The fishermen aboard the Mahaveer noticed the stranded boat and moved towards it. They found the four fishermen aboard the vessel and rescued them.
The rescuers then successfully towed the Mahankali Prasad towards Gangolli harbour.
The rescue brought relief to the fishermen and their families after the vessel had remained untraceable for several hours.
Boat safely towed to Gangolli
Following the rescue, the Mahankali Prasad was towed safely to Gangolli harbour. The four fishermen were also brought back to safety.
The incident highlights the risks faced by fishermen when mechanical failures occur far from the coast, particularly in areas where mobile network connectivity is unavailable.
The timely intervention by fishermen aboard the Mahaveer prevented the situation from escalating and ensured that the stranded crew and their vessel were brought safely back to shore.
The incident also underlines the importance of communication and emergency support mechanisms for fishing boats operating in deep waters. Mechanical failures at sea can leave crews vulnerable, especially when they are unable to establish contact with nearby vessels.
The successful rescue by fellow fishermen once again demonstrated the importance of coordination and mutual assistance within the fishing community along the Karnataka coast.