Udupi: A deep-sea fishing boat that ventured out from Malpe port sank in the Arabian Sea after its hull cracked open on August 31, with all eight crew members rescued safely by a nearby fishing vessel.
According to the official incident report, the trawler Shri Divyanshi-1, owned by Pushpa B Salian of Thottam, had set out from Malpe port at around 1.30 am on August 31.
The vessel was operating around 45 to 50 fathoms deep in the sea off Malpe when the crew heard a loud thud from underneath the boat.
Hull cracks open, seawater floods engine room
The crew immediately rushed to the engine room to ascertain what had happened. They found that the hull had developed a major rupture, allowing seawater to rapidly enter the vessel.
The fishermen attempted to control the situation by manually bailing out the water. However, the volume of seawater entering the boat quickly overwhelmed their efforts.
Realising that the vessel was in serious danger of sinking, the tandel, or skipper, used the wireless communication system to send an SOS to nearby fishing boats.
Sister vessel responds to distress call
A nearby fishing boat, Vighnaraj, responded to the distress call and rushed towards the location.
The crew of the Vighnaraj reached the stricken vessel and rescued all eight fishermen aboard Shri Divyanshi-1.
The fishermen were brought to safety without any loss of life, bringing relief to the crew members and their families following the sudden emergency at sea.
Towing attempt fails amid rough seas
After rescuing the eight crew members, the Vighnaraj crew attempted to save the damaged fishing boat as well.
They tried to attach a towline to Shri Divyanshi-1 with the intention of pulling the vessel towards safety.
However, heavy swells and rough sea conditions made the operation difficult. The pressure on the damaged vessel increased as the rescue crew attempted to tow it.
The tow rope eventually snapped under the strain, making it impossible to bring the trawler back.
Shri Divyanshi-1 sinks
With the hull severely damaged and seawater continuing to enter the vessel, Shri Divyanshi-1 could not be saved.
The fishing boat eventually sank into the Arabian Sea.
Despite the loss of the vessel, the timely distress call and prompt response from the Vighnaraj ensured that all eight fishermen escaped safely.
The incident highlights the risks faced by deep-sea fishing crews and the importance of communication and quick assistance from other vessels during maritime emergencies.