Keralam: 17 fishermen rescued after engine failure off Kozhikode coast
Kozhikode, August 1
In a joint operation, the Coastal Police along with residents rescued 17 fishermen stranded in the Arabian Sea after their fishing vessel suffered a mechanical breakdown, officials said.
The fishing boat had departed from Beypore Harbour and was operating west of Kappalangadi, Kadalundi, when its engine suddenly failed, leaving the vessel stranded amidst choppy waters.
Upon receiving information about the incident, Coastal Police teams rushed to the spot and, with the assistance of local fishermen and residents, brought all 17 individuals safely back to shore.
The rescued fishermen were immediately taken to the Feroke CHC Hospital for medical evaluation and necessary treatment. Officials confirmed that none of the crew members suffered serious injuries during the ordeal and all are currently in stable condition.
Earlier on July 7, the Indian Navy successfully evacuated and provided medical assistance to a stranded fisherman after his boat was lost at sea, officials said on Tuesday.
The fisherman was rescued by a nearby merchant vessel on July 5, and based on the request by the civil administration on July 6, the Navy's ALH Mk III helicopter from Eastern Naval Command was sent to evacuate the fisherman.
"An #IndianNavy ALH Mk III helicopter from EasternNavalCommand evacuated a stranded fisherman from a merchant vessel off Visakhapatnam," the Navy posted on X.
"The fisherman, whose fishing boat had gone missing at sea, had been rescued by a nearby merchant vessel on 05 Jul 26. Based on a request from Civil Administration on 06 July 26, he was evacuated by the Navy helicopter through rescue hoist and was provided medical assistance; before handing over to the Civil Authorities at Visakhapatnam," the Navy added.
In a separate incident off the Mumbai coast on July 4, Indian Navy's Sea King helicopter from INS Shikra undertook urgent medical evacuation of an injured seafarer from SCI crude oil tanker MT Desh Shakti.
"Despite the red alert due to incessant rains, poor visibility and rough seas, the helicopter skillfully evacuated the injured seafarer utilising a rescue basket. After stabilising the patient onboard the helicopter, he was transported ashore for urgent medical care," the Navy wrote on X.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is why our coastal communities are so special. Kabadipporul (collective effort) at its finest! But we need better safety equipment on fishing vessels. Engine failures in choppy waters are too common. The government should provide subsidies for better maintenance and emergency gear for our fishermen.
Impressive coordination between the Coastal Police and local residents. It's reassuring to know that even in challenging conditions, there are systems in place to respond quickly. The fact that no serious injuries occurred is a testament to the efficiency of the rescue operation.
Good job by Kerala Police and Navy! But why compare with Mumbai and Visakhapatnam incidents? Every state has its own challenges. Our Kerala fishermen are the backbone of our coastal economy. Glad they're safe, but we need better weather prediction alerts to prevent such incidents in the future.
Respect to the local fishermen who helped with the rescue! In many countries, such incidents are handled only by authorities, but here the community spirit is amazing. The 17 families must be so relieved. Kerala sets an example in disaster response and community support.
The engine failure issue needs serious attention. Our fishing boats often operate with old machinery in rough conditions. The Navy's involvement in the Visakhapatnam and Mumbai cases shows how widespread this problem is. Every coastal state needs better-equipped patrol boats and faster response times. Still, thankful for today's successful operation!
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.