Special Vehicle Sent to West Bengal To Bring Back Seven Fishermen
Fishermen stranded at sea for 23 days rescued safely; officials plan safety review
Kakinada: Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district Collector R. Mahesh Kumar said on Thursday that a special vehicle accompanied by a Fisheries Development Officer had been sent to West Bengal to bring back the seven fishermen rescued after being stranded at sea for 23 days.
The fishermen were brought ashore safely on August 26 and medically examined with the assistance of local marine police. Boat driver Tata Rao was slightly unwell, while the other six fishermen were in good health. They are currently resting at the Boat Owners Association Guest House.
Mahesh Kumar said officials would monitor their journey and health and make arrangements for their safe return and reunion with their families.
The collector, along with district Superintendent of Police Rahul Meena and Fisheries Assistant Director K. Karunakar, said the administration would hold a brainstorming session with fishermen on Monday to review the incident and strengthen safety measures for deep-sea fishing.
The discussion would focus on emergency equipment and communication systems, pre-departure checks of engines and gearboxes and procedures for contacting officials during emergencies. The Collector said the fishermen’s experience would be used to improve maritime safety measures.
The fishermen had ventured into the sea from Odalarevu fishing landing centre at 11 am on August 3 in the Muthyalamma boat, owned by Kopanathi Ramakrishna Varma of Komaragiripatnam in Allavaram mandal. Communication with the boat was lost at around 2 pm the same day. The boat, carrying seven crew members and rations for 15 days, reportedly lost control following a gearbox problem and drifted into the sea.
The boat owner’s brother informed the district administration about their disappearance on August 14. The administration subsequently coordinated with the Coast Guard, Navy and other agencies and alerted authorities in West Bengal, Bangladesh and Myanmar.
On August 26, the crew of the Arbinda Barman, travelling towards Sankarpur off the West Bengal coast, spotted the missing fishermen, following which a rescue operation was launched in coordination with the authorities.
