Chennai: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has rescued 14 fishermen off Nagapattinam coast after their fishing vessel started drifting due to a machinery breakdown and propeller damage and rought weather caused by active Southwest monsoon.
A defence release here said a Tuticorin-based fishing boat ‘GN Sabari’ sailed into the sea with 14 crew members on 4 August.
Due to machinery breakdown and damaged propeller, the vessel started drifting. A merchant ship sighted the stranded vessel and relayed the information to Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Chennai following which ICG Ship Shaurya was diverted to provide necessary assistance and take up Search and Rescue operations.
The fishing vessel was observed having machinery breakdown and damaged propeller and was dangerously drifting due to the rough weather caused by the Southwest Monsoon about 88 nautical miles off Nagapattinam coast.
The crew heaved a sigh of relief after sighting the ICG ship. The fishing vessel was towed by the Coast Guard Ship to the nearest fishing harbour, Nagapattinam for repairs late in the evening on 5 August.
During this rescue mission, the Coast Guard officials were in constant communication with the boat owner and the Tamilnadu Fisheries Department officials.