Kochi: Amid heavy rain and challenging weather conditions, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) today rescued 11 crew onboard a stranded Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Aashni, in a coordinated sea-air operation.
The vessel was in critical condition due to flooding from a hull rupture near the keel and loss of propulsion, which posed a threat to the safety of the crew, about 80 nautical miles from Kochi.
An Indian Coast Guard Dornier aircraft on maritime surveillance located the distressed Indian Fishing Boat on the night of July 16, 2024.
Patrolling Indian Coast Guard ship Saksham was immediately diverted by the Indian Coast Guard District Headquarters Number 4 (Kerala and Mahe) to assist the vessel. To bolster the efforts, another Indian Coast Guard ship Abhinav was deployed, along with an Advanced Light Helicopter to rescue the crew.
A technical Indian Coast Guard team embarked onto the distressed boat, carried out de-flooding operations, and provided necessary assistance. The operation culminated with the rescue of all crew members and the vessel.
The boat was subsequently handed over to the Fisheries Department.
The Ministry of Defence lauded the Indian Coast Guard stating that the operation “once again underscored the Indian Coast Guards’s dedication to ensuring the safety and security of the country’s maritime zones”.
– global bihari bureau
