Mangaluru : Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Savitribai Phule’ on Wednesday rescued a fisherman who had fallen overboard fishing vessel ‘Shaional Angel’ (IND KA-01-3820), some 10 nautical miles off Malpe light house.

Acting on a distress message received by the office of superintendent of police, Coastal Security Police at Malpe, Coast Guard authorities diverted ICGS Savitribai Phule to the area.

DIG SS Dasila, commander, Coast Guard, Karnataka said the rescued fisherman is Goraya Rao, 33 from Odisha. The CSP authorities were informed that Rao had fallen overboard the fishing vessel that had sailed out from old Mangaluru port in the early hours of Wednesday. Rao was located some 10 nautical miles off Malpe light house and brought aboard the ship in a fully exhausted condition. He was provided food and first aid, Dasila said.

Rao had fallen overboard around 3am, Dasila said adding the fisherman battled adverse sea conditions for more than 12 hours till he was rescued around 4pm. The condition of the fisherman is reported to be stable, Dasila said adding he was brought to New Mangalore Port and handed over to CSP authorities. ICGS Savitribai Phule carried out the operation at sea under very rough sea conditions with high waves and wind speed, Dasila said.