Six Sri Lankan fishermen were saved by the timely intervention and coordination by the Indian Coast Guard on Sunday morning from high seas 170 nautical miles off Chennai coast amidst inclement weather, said a release by the Defence Ministry.
“It was a daunting rescue task,” said the release. A merchant vessel YM Summit which was on its way to Visakhapattanam came across a capsized boat with six survivors atop at 7.15 am off Chennai coast .
As per the guidelines to be observed by ships sailing along the sea, master of YM Summit informed the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at Mumbai which was timely shared with MRCC, Chennai for further coordination. MRCC Chennai coordinated with the vessel for safe rescue of the survivors, said the release.
The six survivors were identified as natives of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. They were reportedly stranded and adrift at sea, braving the vagaries of rough weather for four days. MRCC, Chennai further, coordinated with the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission, Chennai and MRCC Colombo to verify the credentials and arranging for their safe return to home.
“The successful rescue operation reiterates the Indian Coast Guard’s resolve towards providing Search and Rescue cover in the vast indomitable sea areas and also highlights the synergy and coordination between the Merchant Marine and the Indian Coast Guard, towards safety of lives at sea,” said the defence media release.
Interestingly, Tamil Nadu fishermen often complain about Sri Lankan Navy ‘attacking’ them while fishing in the Palk Strait region, which they claim as the traditional fishing zone of the fishermen from the State. There were instances when the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Navy rescuing Tamil Nadu fishermen who were caught up in similar situations.