Date:13/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/13/stories/2008081356890400.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Fisheries research vessel sinks

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Mv Skipper III, the Central Institute of Fisheries Nautical and Engineering Training vessel that developed major snags off the Andhra Pradesh Coast on August 8, sank on Tuesday about 100 nautical miles south off Visakhapatnam.

Earlier, the Coast Guard’s Off Shore Patrol Vessel, Varad, weathered rough seas and saved the lives of 17 crew members of the vessel. They reached Visakhapatnam on Monday morning.

The ship was on its way for repairs to the Cochin Shipyard when it developed multiple snags. Another Coast Guard vessel — CGS Vivek — was sent to tow Skipper III.

“The weather was very bad when CGS Varad reached the vessel,” a Coast Guard Eastern Region officer said.

“With great difficulty, the crew were transferred from that ship to Varad,” he added. CGS Vivek repeatedly tried to tow the vessel, but each time the tow snapped because of the inclement weather.

Fishermen rescued

Meanwhile in Vizag, four fishermen were rescued by the crew of a catamaran and brought to Bhimunipatnam coast on Tuesday after they abandoned their motorised boat.