NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, APR 22
Eight Tamil Nadu fishermen who were stranded off the coast of Karaikal on Thursday after their boat suffered a ”machinery breakdown” were rescued by the Coast Guard, officials said.
Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Ameya patrolling off Karaikal, TN rescued eight fishermen on board of a fishing boat which was drifting away due to weather. It was towed to safety and handed over to the Fisheries Authority off Nagapattinam by @IndiaCoastGuard. @SpokespersonMoD pic.twitter.com/F6XBNwuWKy
— Defence PRO Chennai (@Def_PRO_Chennai) April 22, 2021
According to an official release, Indian Coast Guard ship (ICGS) ”Ameya” patrolling the Bay of Bengal received information about a fishing boat stranded 15 nautical miles from the coast of Karaikal due to engine breakdown and drifting away due to bad weather.
The boat and the distressed crew were located by the vessel following which it was towed to safety and later handed over to government authorities in Nagapattinam, it said.
During the search and rescue mission, the Coast Guard staffs at Karaikal station were in constant touch with the boat owner and the authorities from the fisheries department.
The Coast Guard said the incident highlights one of the disadvantages of fishing boats venturing out alone mid-sea.
The Coast Guard asked the fishermen to go fishing in groups by adhering to safe practices at sea and carry adequate life saving appliances and communication equipment.
