Mangaluru: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully rescued 31 fishermen stranded in the Arabian Sea after their fishing vessel developed a technical snag and lost steering control.
The fishing boat IFB St. Antony 1, registered in Goa, had been drifting helplessly for 11 days after its steering gear failed. A missing vessel report was filed, prompting the ICG to launch a large-scale search and rescue operation on October 24. The boat had last made contact around 100 nautical miles off the New Mangalore coast.
Acting swiftly, the ICG deployed ICGS Kasturba Gandhi, a patrol vessel operating in the region, to track down the stranded fishermen. Simultaneously, a Dornier aircraft from the Kochi Coast Guard base was dispatched to carry out aerial reconnaissance.
Despite turbulent weather conditions in the Arabian Sea, ICG teams used advanced meteorological data and information from the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre to identify the boat’s probable drift path. Following this, Kasturba Gandhi was directed to provide immediate assistance, repair the steering mechanism, and tow the boat safely back to shore.
With the help of another fishing boat, the stranded vessel was eventually towed to Honnavar port, where all 31 fishermen were declared safe.
In a press statement, the Coast Guard commended the coordinated efforts of its sea and air units, emphasizing that the successful rescue operation showcased the force’s rapid response capabilities even in adverse weather conditions.
The incident once again highlights the critical role played by the Indian Coast Guard in ensuring maritime safety and protecting the lives of seafarers along India’s western coastline.
