MANGALURU: The timely and swift action by the Indian Coast Guard had saved the lives of fishermen in distress due to cylinder blast and fire engulfed on a fishing boat.
DIG S B Venkatesh, commander, Coast Guard, Karnataka stated, a message was received by MRCC from Prof Antony Raj stating that TN fishing boat had a massive fire due to cylinder burst onboard IND – TN-15 -MM-5297 name IFB AVKM. Apparently, the fishing boat had 11 fishermen crew onboard. MRCC Mumbai immediately swung into action and diverted two Offshore Patrol Vessels namely Sachet and Sujeet patrolling in the area for immediate assistance. Besides, an international safety net was also activated to seek assistance from passing by merchant ships to which two merchant ships responded. However, the ICG with state of art ship proceeded to datum with maximum speed within three hours from the time the message was received.
Indian Coast Guard aircraft CG Dornier patrolling in the Arabian sea in the wee hours of Sunday was diverted to vector the distressed fishing boat. At 11.15 am, CG Dornier spotted the fishing boat in an approximate position 140 nautical miles West Off New Mangalore. Two-way communication was established on VHF Channel with fishermen to ascertain the casualty status and be of moral support to the fishermen.
ICGS Sachet and Sujeet reached the datum at 1 pm and immediately assessed the casualty and evacuated the severely injured and administered medical management. Braving the high seas, the ship headed for New Mangalore for further specialised hospital management in respect of the casualty. Coast Guard Karnataka, without wasting much of time had liaised with NMPT for berthing assistance and district Wenlock hospital for specialised medical care.
One fisherman who sustained 36 % surface area burns and third-degree burns was rushed to the hospital. Three have been rescued and the others are safe. Owners are arranging boat for towing. All are safe and medical and food has been arranged, said DIG S B Venkatesh