ICG rescues 8 fishermen held by Sri Lankan Navy
In a swift action, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Friday rescued eight stranded fishermen, who drifted past the IMBL and was apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy. The ICG took up the matter with Indian Embassy in Colombo and ensured their immediate release on Friday.
By : migrator
Update: 2019-07-19 22:44 GMT
Chennai
A defence release said, the ICG, Mandapam, received a distress message at 7am from State officials for search and rescue of stranded fishing vallams (country boat) with eight fishermen at Seventh Island across the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
The Coast Guard authorities immediately launched two hovercrafts for rescue of the distressed vallam and its crew, who were found stranded 1.5 nautical miles across IMBL in Sri Lankan waters.
When the boat along with the crew was being apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy., ICG Hovercraft contacted the Sri Lankan Naval ship by VHF and requested for release of the boat as it had drifted post distress.
The ICG Station Mandapam also took up the matter with the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka through Regional Headquarters and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Chennai for immediate release of stranded vallam and crew.
The Sri Lankan Navy handed over the crew to the ICG Hovercraft which brought them back safely to Indian Coast Guard Station Mandapam.
On completion of medical examination, the fishermen were handed over to the State officials.
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