Mangaluru : Indian Coast Guard has rescued seven fishermen from a sinking fishing boat at Mangaluru coast on Wednesday, June 7.

The 27-feet Manjeshwari gillnet boat had sailed out of old Mangaluru port, Bunder at about 9am and was heading towards Malpe harbour. After covering about 3-kms, while transiting off Tannirbhavi coast, the fishing boat started flooding due to heavy swell and high waves.

The fishermen on board raised an alarm for the immediate rescue which was relayed to the ICG headquarters at Panambur, by VTMS, New Mangalore Port Trust at 9.25am. On receipt of the information, operations team of Coast Guard immediately swung into action and diverted Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Savitri Bai Phule from its patrol area to proceed with maximum available speed to render assistance to the distressed boat.

Under the command of Commandant Girish Chander, the ICGS Rajdoot ship sailed out at 10.30am and proceeded with the best possible speed. After arrival at the position at 10.49am, ICGS Rajdoot assessed the situation and commenced retrieval of the fishermen from the distressed boat.

ICGS Savitri Bai Phule maintained its position close by and was on standby to assist, Dasila said adding ICGS Rajdoot entered New Mangalore Port at 11.15am with the rescued fishing crew. The entire operation was coordinated amongst various stakeholders. While Dasila oversaw the coast guard operations, the district administration supported the operation with DC K G Jagadeesha deputing Mahesh Kumar, deputy director of fisheries to CG HQ, Panambur.