Karwar: Indian Coast Guard safely retrieves missing fishing boat; All 27 fishermen rescued

Team Udayavani, Dec 6, 2023, 12:11 PM IST

The crew of a fishing boat, who were reported missing in the Arabian Sea for the past four days, were successfully rescued by Indian Coast Guard personnel. The vessel, named Cristo Ray, encountered engine troubles amidst turbulent seas, leaving it adrift.

After a relentless search effort, the Coast Guard located the distressed vessel approximately 30 nautical miles from Belikeri port in Ankola Taluk, Uttara Kannada district. Despite challenging weather conditions, the operation persisted for nine hours, ensuring the safe retrieval of 27 fishermen aboard the Cristo Ray.

The Coast Guard’s state-of-the-art vessel established contact with the fishing boat around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, initiating the rescue operation. The boat and its crew arrived safely at Karwar fishing port on Tuesday late evening, under the careful supervision of Coast Guard officials.

It is gathered that the distressed boat had encountered engine issues, rendering it unable to reach the nearest port. Prompt alerts to the Goa and Karnataka Police Departments facilitated the swift deployment of Coast Guard assistance.

Communication hurdles initially complicated the search, as the wireless phone network was inaccessible. Despite these challenges, the Coast Guard’s unwavering efforts led to the successful location and rescue of the stranded vessel and its crew.

Coast Guard officials confirmed that all 27 fishermen were safe upon their arrival at Karwar port.