A mechanised fishing boat from Tharuvaikulam and a rescue vessel from Thoothukudi, each of which had drifted into the Sri Lankan waters after struggling mechanical failures, are awaiting for the rescue boats to tow them again.

A mechanised boat bearing the registration quantity IND TN 12 MM 6919 from Tharuvaikulam had ventured into sea on June 15, with 11 members on board. On June 27 (Friday), whereas fishing within the northeastern waters off the coast of Kanniyakumari, the vessel got here to halt resulting from gearbox failure.

Upon receiving details about the stranded vessel and after acquiring getting a NOC from the Fisheries Division, a rescue workforce comprising 9 members departed from Thoothukudi on Friday night in a ship with the registration quantity IND TN 12 MM 6625, in an try and retrieve the stranded vessel. Nevertheless, in the course of the towing operation, the boat from Thoothukudi additionally suffered an surprising mechanical failure and have become stranded.

When each the vessels didn’t return to shores as anticipated on Saturday, the District Administration and Fisheries Division have been alerted. Because the boats have been drifted to the Sri Lankan waters resulting from westerly winds, there have been issues that winds may push them additional into the Sri Lankan territory.

An official from the Fisheries division stated the Indian Coast Guard has knowledgeable the Sri Lankan Navy in regards to the scenario. A Coast Guard vessel together with two mechanised boats fitted with transponders have departed from Thoothukudi on Sunday (June 29) to hold out the rescue operation. “It’s going to take at the least seven hours for these boats to achieve the spot,” the official talked about.

Thoothukudi Collector Ok. Elambahavath instructed The Hindu {that a} Coast Guard vessel from the closest level had reached the stranded boats and rescued them from the Sri Lankan waters. The vessels are anticipated to achieve Thoothukudi by Monday.