Date:17/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/17/stories/2006111703990600.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Lankan fishing vessel rescued

Special Correspondent

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Coast Guard on Friday rescued a Lankan fishing vessel which had been adrift in the Bay of Bengal for the last seven days following a mechanical failure.

`Malintha Putha-II' with six crew members on board was being towed by `CGS Chandbibi' to Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour. The vessel was found adrift 190 nautical miles south-east of Visakhapatnam

The crew members were given food and water and were said to be in a healthy state, said According to the Coast Guard, Malintha Putha-II left Trincomalee on Nov. 4 and was missing a few days later.

CGS Chandbibi located the vessel after a nearly 36-hour gruelling search.