Mangaluru, Dec 6: Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Amartya rescued Androth (Lakshadweep island) registered fishing boat Barracuda (Regd No IND LD AN MM 153) along with 13 crew members from a position 18 km off Malpe on Wednesday. FB Barracuda had sailed from Kochi on November 7. The crew members were from Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam.
The rescued are Bebron John (32), Stalin (29), Antony (27), Abin (22), Andross (49), Prabhu (38), Meerlin (35), Benedit (48), Jelastin (46), Martin (34), Arul Das (55), Thadeus (46) and Mohammed Ali (33).
Coast Guard Karnataka Commander Deputy Inspector General S S Dasila told reporters on Wednesday that Coast Guard Karnataka received the information regarding sinking of fishing boat Barracuda with 13 crew 18 km off Malpe from Deputy Director of Fisheries, Malappuram on Wednesday morning. ICGS Amartya was patrolling off Karnataka - Kerala coast after the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi to provide search and rescue services. Immediately, the ship was diverted to proceed at maximum speed and render assistance.
Within two hours, the ship reached the distressed fishing boat. According to the master of the boat, the boat had suffered damages to its superstructure during cyclone Ockhi and its communication equipment, two support dinghies and rations were lost. The boat was drifting without propulsion since December 3.
Coast Guard Commander said that the fishing boat was in distress due to flooding. There was about three tons of water in the engine room. The ship's damage control party embarked on the fishing boat which de-flooded the fishing boat using a submersible pump and contained the sea water ingress using damage control plugs. The fishermen were exhausted and were provided first aid, food, water and support by the ship.
Due to flooding, the engine of the boat had seized and it was towed by ICGS Amartya safely to Malpe and handed over to another fishing boat Mary Matha along with three crew for being taken to Malpe Port. The ICG ship entered New Mangalore Port along with 10 rescued fishermen.
ICGS Amartya has been at sea since December 1 and saved 35 lives during cyclone Ockhi. On an earlier occasion, this ship was also involved in the rescue of Barge IBIS, wherein 27 lives were rescued in the thick of monsoon in the month of June. The ship has saved 62 lives since the onset of South West monsoon.
The rescue operation was overseen by No 3 Coast Guard District Headquarters (Karnataka). During the rescue efforts, constant liaison was maintained with DK Deputy Commissioner Sasikanth Senthil S and Udupi DC Priyanka Mary Francis by Deputy Inspector General S S Dasila, the Commander, Coast Guard Karnataka.
The Commander expressed his satisfaction over the rescue efforts and said: "Saving every life is important irrespective of the challenges of rough sea conditions. We at Coast Guard Karnataka are committed to respond to all probabilities emerging at sea, convert daunting missions and tasks into possibilities through proactive and cohesive approach and operational agility. The Coast Guard is ever ready to respond to maritime challenges and will not leave any stone unturned in the service of the nation and protection of life at sea."
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