Indian Coast Guard rescue six fishermen in overnight operation off Mangaluru

Mangaluru: The Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued six fishermen from the distressed Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) ‘Manju Matha’ in a challenging maritime search and rescue (SAR) operation off the coast of Mangaluru on Monday evening.

At approximately 4 pm, Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Sachet’, intercepted a VHF RT distress call from a fishing boat located about 33 nautical miles off Surathkal coast, reporting severe flooding and hull damage due to rough sea conditions, placing the lives of all six crew members at imminent risk.Responding without delay, ICG immediately diverted the ship to render assistance, effecting a rendezvous with the distressed vessel within 90 minutes.

The rescue operation was conducted in extreme weather. Rough seas, strong winds, poor visibility and approaching darkness significantly complicated the mission, demanding exceptional seamanship, precision, and coordination from the rescue team. Despite these formidable challenges, the ICGS ‘Sachet’ crew executed the operation with remarkable efficiency.Backed by advanced rescue technology, the team deployed remote-operated lifebuoys specifically designed for use in inclement sea conditions to safely reach and recover the stranded fishermen. By 6pm, the seamless coordination of the highly skilled personnel ensured that all six crew members were rescued safely and without injury. Following the successful recovery, ICGS ‘Sachet’ entered New Mangalore Port for the safe disembarkation of the rescued crew and the completion of further formalities.The vessel is registered at Udupi and built in 2019, it features a fiberglass hull and measures 11 m in length, 3.1 m in beam, and 1.5 m in draft.