Indian Coast Guard provides towing assistance to fishing boat stranded off Lakshadweep

New Delhi [India]: The Indian Coast Guard provided towing assistance to a fishing boat that was adrift 50 nautical miles southwest of Minicoy Island in Lakshadweep since Thursday due to an engine breakdown. 

“@IndiaCoastGuard ship Samarth provided towing assistance to Indian Fishing boat Arul Matha(IND-TN-12-MM-5707) which was adrift 50 NM South-West of #Minicoy Island since 25 Jan due to an engine breakdown,” the Indian Coast Guard wrote on ‘X’. 

The boat was towed in rough sea conditions and brought to Minicoy for safety, the Indian Coast Guard said. 

The Indian Coast Guard Ship Samarth and aircraft were deployed for search and rescue operations. 

According to an official release, the Indian fishing boat Arul Matha (IND-TN-12-MM-5207), which was operating from Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu with nine crew members, was stranded at high seas due to engine failure. 

In a swiftly co-ordinated rescue operation, 48 NM from Minicoy Island, Indian Coast Guard Ship Samarth arrived at the position during dark hours and deployed its technical team for assessment and defect rectification, which revealed that the boat engine had ceased and repairs were not feasible at sea, as per the official release. 

Understanding the gravity of the situation, the ICG ship connected the tow to take the boat to safety at Minicoy Harbour. After a continuous operation that lasted more than 24 hours, the Indian fishing boat along with its crew was handed over in safe condition to the L&M Fisheries Department. 

Indian Coast Guard’s steadfast resolve and swift response in assisting fishermen at sea have earned them recognition as Sentinel of the Sea amongst fishermen, which is in line with its motto, “Vayam Rakshamah”.