Mangaluru: Coast Guard Karnataka saved 70 lives in 16 search and rescue operations and undertook two medical evacuations in 2016, according to its Commander K.R. Suresh.

Addressing its officers at the 40th raising day of the Indian Coast Guard here on Wednesday, he said that some of the important rescue efforts included saving seven fishermen from a fishing boat, Siddi Lakshmi, off Karwar, providing assistance to fishing boat, Bhagya Nidhi, which was in distress due to flooding, rescuing tanker MT Infinity-1 with 14 crew, a midnight evacuation of a Filipino crew from m.v. Eagle Strait off Mangaluru and recovery of an adrift wave rider buoy belonging to the National Institute of Oceanography.

It also included towing of a stranded fishing boat, Sowmya, with eight crew to Malpe, rescuing five fishermen from a distressed fishing boat, Amma, near Bhatkal and rescuing seven stranded fishermen who were hanging onto a rock for life near Malpe.

As a gesture of mutual support, bravery awards along with cash prizes were given away to four Karnataka fishermen for their heroic act of contributing towards saving seven fishermen from their own community at the Bhatkal fishing harbour. He said: “Coast Guard Karnataka has instilled faith in the heart of the coastal community and fishermen of Karnataka only because of the dire commitment to protect our sovereignty and save innocent souls at sea at all costs with utter disregard to one’s own life.”

Mr. Suresh said that Coast Guard Headquarters, Western Region, Mumbai, has declared Coast Guard Karnataka as “The Best Coast Guard Shore Unit” for its incessant approach and steadfast actions with 360o coverage for operations, infrastructure development and humanitarian services at sea over past one year, a release said.