Port Blair, Dec 10: In a search and rescue operation on the western side of the South Andaman Island, the Coast Guard Chetak helicopter and Ship Aruna Aaf Ali located two missing fishing boats, which were untraceable since 5th December and were reported to be missing during the recent cyclonic weather. Fisheries department Port Blair had intimated the Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Co-ordinating centre regarding two fishing boats of Panighat, Port Blair were overdue since 05 December. Fishing Boats namely MFV Gyaneswari(Regn no. IND-AN-SA-MO563) and MFV Madkiamma(Regn no. IND-AN-SA-MO155) alongwith eight fishermen had sailed out from Panighat, Port Blair on 02 December with adequate fuel and ration onboard for fishing on the western side of South Andaman Island. Due to rough seas and bad weather, the fishermen decided to take shelter in creeks, close to the coast of Jarawa reserve area.
On obtaining information regarding missing fishermen, Coast Guard Ships and Aircraft undertook extensive search for the boats along the entire west coast of South and Middle Andaman Islands. The creeks of the Jarawa Reserve Area were searched in particular to locate the fishermen, expected to be taking shelter, during the morning hours on 09 December, Coast Guard helicopter on search mission successfully located these fishing boats near Hiren tikrey. Coast Guard ship Aruna Asaf Ali in area was diverted towards the boats. The fishermen informed the Coast Guard that they had taken shelter in creeks for last 4 days and are safe . The information regarding their safety was provided to fisheries department and their families and the boats were safely escorted to Port Blair.
Indian Coast Guard has reiterated that fishermen should always pay attention to the weather advises issued by various authorities before proceeding to sea and should always carry distress alert transmitter(DAT) to communicate any emergency at sea to Coast Guard. Special toll free helpline number of Coast Guard MRCC-1554 is available 24X7 and can be called from any mobile or landline phone.
