Saving Mercedes: Massive SAR operation saves crippled TN fishing boat

author img

By

Published : Apr 28, 2021, 7:24 PM IST

Saving Mercedes: Massive SAR operation saves crippled TN fishing boat

In a massive search operation lasting for four days and involving multiple agencies, Indian Coast Guard rescued a Tamil Nadu fishing boat presumed to be sunk. The deep sea fishing boat with 11-member-crew went fishing on April 6 and Tamil Nadu Fisheries Dept alerted Indian Coast Guard about the missing boat on April 24 after some fishing vessels in the vicinity located floating debris in the sea and relayed the message to the shore.

New Delhi: The massive search operation for a missing Tamil Nadu fishing boat yielded results as she was located 200 nautical miles off Lakshadweep Islands and the crippled vessel is being shepherded back to the coast. The search sphere-headed by Indian Coast Guard lasting four days involved multiple agencies including Indian Navy and merchant vessels in vicinity as well as Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center at Karachi, Pakistan.

Tamil Nadu Fisheries Department alerted Indian Coast Guard about a missing Tamil Nadu Fishing Boat Mercedes after other fishing boats operating in the area spotted debris. It was initially presumed that Mercedes would have sunk with her crew.

Detailed chart of search and rescue operation
Detailed chart of search and rescue operation

The fishing boat Mercedes with her 11-member-crew sailed from Thengapattnam fishing harbour in Tamil Nadu on April 6 on a deep sea fishing expedition that lasts for 30 days.

After Tamil Nadu fisheries department alerted the Indian Coast Guard about the presumed fate of Mercedes, a massive search operation was launched since April 24 at a distance of 590 nautical miles off Goa coast.

Read: Covid management: Tamil Nadu shows the way

The Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Center (MRCC) of Indian Coast Guard at Mumbai activated International Safety Net to alert merchant vessels transiting near reported position to lookout for the missing boat. Simultaneously, Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Prahari on Concurrent Deployment was diverted for search. MRCC (Mumbai) coordinated with merchant vessel Maersk Horsburgh to join the search operation along with fishing boats operating in the area.

As the reported position was located in Pakistan Search and Rescue Region, MRCC Karachi was also requested for assistance as per IMO (International Maritime Organization) norms in vogue.

Considering the distance from mainland, Indian Navy was requested for launch of Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft. It was learnt that the fishing boat was not carrying AIS (Automatic Identification System) or any other transponder which could have assisted in early locating of the boat by the search units.

After four days of continuous search amidst challenges of distance from mainland and weather, the missing boat was located around 200 nautical miles (around 370 kilometers) from Lakshadweep Islands. ICG Dornier located and corroborated presence of the fishing boat on Wednesday morning. MRCC (Mumbai) established communication with the fishing boat on satellite phone held by the boat and ascertained the crew to be safe.

Meanwhile, Coast Guard also received information from TN fisheries authorities that the crew of IFB Mercedes had called up home through Satellite phone to indicate that they are safe. ICG ship on deployment off Lakshadweep was diverted to render logistic and medical assistance to the crew.

The fishing boat is returning to its base port under escort of ICG ship and would reach Thengapattnam fishing harbour around May 3, 2021.

The Indian Coast Guard as the National Maritime Search and Rescue Coordinator has saved around 10,000 lives over 3400 missions averaging almost one life saved per two days. The Indian Coast Guard has been advocating fitment of AIS, Distress Alert Transponders and Long Range two way Communication mechanism for enhancing safety of fishers proceeding for Deep Sea Fishing.

Read: 'Time to give back to our friends': German Envoy on India's COVID crisis

ETV Bharat Logo

Copyright © 2024 Ushodaya Enterprises Pvt. Ltd., All Rights Reserved.