Indian Coast Guard Rescue 8 Fishermen From Sinking Boat In Bay of Bengal

The rescued fishermen were taken to Chennai port on Coast Guard Ship C-440.

The debris of a ship found on the coast (Image for representation)

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued eight fishermen who were stranded after their boat developed a crack at sea 95 nautical miles off the coast of Chennai on Wednesday. The Coast Guard managed to save eight out of the 10 crew members aboard the fishing boat. One fisherman lost his life and another remained missing after the boat sank in the Bay of Bengal.

The boat named Periyanayaki with 10 fishermen ventured into the sea and while they were traveled a few nautical miles away from the coast. Their boat developed a hole and water started entering the vessel. 

Immediately, the fishermen alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) and the Coast Guard sent a merchant vessel to the location. 

The Indian Coast Guard, along with three merchant vessels, searched for the fishermen. As the breach widened around 11:30 PM, the boat began to sink into the sea. Eight fishermen were promptly rescued by the three merchant vessels, but the boat's helmsman lost his life in the incident.

Later, Coast Guard Ship C-440 took the rescued fishermen to Chennai port.

The Coast Guard is still continuing the search to rescue the missing fishermen.

On Friday, the Indian Coast Guard conducted a mid-sea evacuation of a Sri Lankan fisherman in critical condition. The Sri Lankan Fishing Vessel (SLFV) 'Kalpeni' encountered engine failure and drifted into the sea on April 1. By April 5, approximately 60 nautical miles from Chennai, one of the crew member, aged 44, experienced sudden shortness of breath, prompting the urgent need for evacuation. The Indian Coast Guard immediately launched its ship ICGS Rani Abakka towards the boat and the patient was evacuated within a few hours.

Later, the patient was handed over to Sri Lankan High Commission officials for further medical treatment.