Date:04/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/04/stories/2006030417450700.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Coast Guard helps rescue nine fishermen

Special Correspondent

Their boat was drifting in the sea for five days

CHENNAI: The Coast Guard on Wednesday coordinated the rescue of nine fishermen stranded in their boat on the high seas south of Kanyakumari for five days.

The fishermen had left Neendakara harbour in Kerala on February 23. The boat engine developed problems and, while trying to repair it, the fuel supply ran out. The boat began drifting.

The crew made repeated calls on their VHF set.

A passing merchant ship, the M V Hourai Maru (Singapore flag) en route to Fujairah from Singapore, received a call and informed the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre (MRCC), Chennai.

Located in the eastern region headquarters of the Coast Guard, the MRCC coordinates search and rescue operations in the area. It sent out an ISN message based on the INDSAR data available.

Another Singapore registered LPG carrier, M V Kota Teguh en route to Singapore, was directed to provide food, water and fuel to the occupants of the boat, Vinyak (Regn No. NDK 1919) and enable the crew to return safely. The crew and the boat have reached Neendakara.