16 fishermen saved; trawler damaged

MUMBAI/PALGHAR: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued 16 people after their fishing boat Dev Sandesh got caught in rough seas due to high wind speed, around 70kms off Arnala coast on Thursday. Meanwhile, a fishing trawler got lost in the sea after it was damaged by a stone barrier during the torrential downpour.

According to an ICG official, as the fishing boat got caught in very rough sea conditions, the fishermen sent alert messages to Yellow Gate police station on August 4 evening. The message was immediately conveyed to coast guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC), Mumbai. MRCC Mumbai ascertained the exact location of the distressed fishing boat, activated the international safety net and also relayed messages to all the ships in the vicinity, specially transiting ships, to render assistance to the boat, said commandant RK Singh, spokesperson of ICG.

Offshore supply vessels Greatship

Asmi and Colonel SP Wahi were located in the vicinity and diverted for the rescue operation.

After around six hours of efforts, all the 16 people were rescued safely. “They are heading towards the coast and will reach Mumbai soon,” said Singh.

In the other incident, the trawler Prajakta, owned by Moreshwar Vishnu Chowdhary, was heading back on August 4 after getting the weather alert when the incident took place.

The trawler’s captain Jitesh Chowdhary decided to drop the anchor late on August 4 while heading towards Satpati coast because of choppy water and low visibility. However, the anchor broke loose and the trawler hit a stone barrier. All the 15 crew members got down to move fishing equipment with the help of locals. However, during high tide the trawler along with the equipment and the catch entered the sea and got lost.

“I took ₹17 lakh loan for the trawler and am yet to repay it… However, I am happy the 15 crew are safe,” said Chowdhary.