The Indian Coast Guard rescued seven fishermen in the fishing boat Manjeshwari, which was reported to be in distress due to flooding, off Mangaluru on Wednesday.

Manjeshwari, which had sailed out of Old Mangalore Port at around 9 am on Wednesday, was heading towards Malpe harbour in Udupi district. After covering a distance of about 3 km, the boat started getting flooded due to heavy swell and high waves. Due to incessant flooding, the fishermen onboard the boat raised an alarm for an immediate rescue.

A press release by the Indian Coast Guard said here information about the flooding of the boat was relayed to the Indian Coast Guard headquarters at Panambur in New Mangalore at 9.25 am.

On receipt of the information, the Coast Guard diverted Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Savitri Bai Phule from its patrol area to render assistance to the distressed fishing boat.

Meanwhile, ICGS Rajdoot was also directed to sail immediately. The ship sailed out at 10.30 am. After arrival at the position at 10.49 am, ICGS Rajdoot assessed the situation and commenced the rescue of the fishermen from the distressed boat. All seven fishermen were rescued safely at 10.52 am, it said.

ICGS Savitri Bai Phule maintained its position close by and was on standby to assist. ICGS Rajdoot entered the harbour of New Mangalore at 11.15 am with the rescued crew, the release said.

On completion of the rescue operation, the Commander of Coast Guard Karnataka, SS Dasila, said that time is a very important factor in a rescue operation. Timely alarm by the fishermen for immediate rescue helped save them.

He thanked all the stakeholders for working as a coordinated team to save lives at sea.

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