A security team of Adani Group posted at Vizhinjam Port harbour rescued 15 stranded fishermen in Kerala who had gone out fishing in the sea amid inclement weather. Fishermen were warned not to venture into the sea after the Indian Metrological Department (IMD) and Kerala government issued an alert warning of heavy rains, strong winds and rough seas in 10 districts in the state, especially the coastal regions from August 1 to 4.
However, despite the warnings, a few fishermen ventured into the sea with their boats from Vizhinjam harbor.
On August 1, while returning from Kovalam area, a fisherman fell from his boat and was lost in the rough sea. Five others were stranded with their boats.
The vicar of Kottapuram then sent an SOS to the coastal police to rescue the stranded fishermen. However, police boats are not equipped of venturing into the sea in such conditions.
The vicar then contacted the Adani team for help and a pilot boat, Dolphin 41, was immediately pressed into action.
Dolphin 41 sailed out of Vizhinjam harbor along with a coastal police team in search of the stranded fishermen despite rough seas and heavy winds.
The security personnel posted at Adani Vizhinjam Port kept monitoring the fishing vessels and passed information to the rescue team on Dolphin 41.
Soon, the team managed to rescue the 15 fishermen successfully. "Dolphin 41 returned to the port but waited inside the harbour on standby until all the remaining fishing boats returned safely inside the harbour," a statement by Adani Group said.
Heavy rain lashed Kerala last week, with over 13 people dead. Two fishermen had gone missing after their boat capsized in Muthala Pozhi near Perumathura.
The missing fishermen were identified as Suneer and Safeer, who are from Chermunathuruthu, IANS reported. The fishing boat in which they had gone to the sea overturned near the Muthala Pozhi due to high waves and wind.