Search on for two crew after ship rams fishing boat off Kerala coast, 9 rescued
The Indian Coast Guard is actively searching for two crew members of a fishing boat that sank after a collision with a merchant vessel off the Kollam coast. The incident occurred on Saturday, resulting in the rescue of nine other crew members. While initial reports indicated that two bodies had been recovered, officials later clarified that the search for the missing fishermen is ongoing.
Details of the Incident
The fishing boat, named St Joseph, was engaged in deep-sea fishing when the accident occurred approximately 120 nautical miles off the coast. The vessel had departed from Shakthikulangara harbour in Kollam on Friday, carrying a total of 11 crew members, all hailing from various states. According to the Coastal Police, the St Joseph was anchored for fishing when it was struck by the Panama-registered merchant ship, MT Solis.
The impact of the collision caused significant damage to the fishing boat, leading to its rapid sinking. Fortunately, the crew members aboard the St Joseph were quickly rescued by the MT Solis, which was involved in the accident. They were subsequently transferred to the Indian Coast Guard Ship Anagh for further assistance.
On Sunday, the Coast Guard reported that the nine rescued fishermen were brought safely to Vizhinjam, where they received medical attention. A government press release detailed the coordinated rescue operation, noting that the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Mumbai had received an alert about the sunken fishing boat earlier that day. The Coast Guard Ship Anagh was dispatched promptly to the scene.
Investigation Underway
The Directorate General of Shipping has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the St Joseph. The owner of the ill-fated fishing boat, Rajesh Mathew, has been identified, and authorities plan to record statements from the rescued crew members as part of the inquiry. The MT Solis was reportedly en route from Oman to Colombo at the time of the incident.
As the search for the two missing crew members continues, the Coast Guard remains vigilant, coordinating efforts with local fishermen and other agencies. The tragic event has raised concerns about maritime safety and the need for stringent regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
