Port Blair, Aug 20On receipt of information from maritime rescue coordination centre (MRCC) Colombo, the Indian Coast Guard MRCC, Port Blair coordinated a search and rescue (SAR) operation for a disabled Sri Lankan Fishing Vessel (SLFV). A Coast Guard Dornier aircraft was launched in the morning hours of 17 August 2018 for search of disabled Sri Lankan fishing vessel Jaya Isuru-03. At about 1120 hrs the Dornier located the disabled Sri Lankan fishing boat approximately 290 nautical miles (537 kms) North West of Port Blair. It was ascertained that the disabled SLFV was being towed by another Sri Lankan fishing vessel operating in area as her engine had break down. The information was shared with MRCC, Colombo, which dispatched Sri Lankan Naval Ship Samudura to render assistance.
ICG Dornier was re-launched at 1355 hrs on 19 August 2018 and located Sri Lankan Naval Ship Samudura which was heading for rendering assistance to disabled fishing vessel. Thereafter, the Naval ship was directed towards the disabled fishing vessel by the Coast Guard Dornier aircraft.
On 20 August 2018, the Sri Lankan Naval Ship Samudura took disabled fishing vessel Jaya Isuru-03 under tow and is heading for Sri Lanka. The voyage of the vessels is being monitored during their passage through Indian Search and Rescue Region. Indian Coast Guard MRCCs coordinate SAR ops with foreign littoral MRCCs under the umbrella of the international SAR convention and bilateral agreements.
