The Indian Coast Guard today rescued at least eight persons in an ill fated fishing boat that stopped operation in sea off the Devi river mouth near Puri district.
The fishing boat 'Mangala maa' carrying eight crew members had gone to the mid sea for fishing and developed technical snag.
"The engine of the boat became non-operational since September 17 due to fishing net entangled in boat propeller and unable to sustain at sea due to severe weather conditions and rough seas created by low pressure in the Bay of Bengal," ICG deputy commandant Jaydeep Paul said in a statement.
The ICG, Paradip immediately diverted its 'Sarojini Naidu' coast guard ship to render the necessary assistance to the distressed boat. ICG 'Sarojini Naidu' arrived in area at about 1445 hours on September 19. "Initial attempts by the ship in going alongside was not feasible in view of heavy swells," said a member of the rescue team.
It was ascertained that towing the boat to nearest fishing harbour at Astarang was not feasible at that moment in view of heavy swell off Devi river mouth, Paul said.
The ship towed the disabled boat to Paradip and arrived off Mahanadi river mouth near Nehru Bunglow fishing harbour today. "All 8 crew of fishing boat Maa Mangala were safe and provided with food and other assistance by the ICG ship," Paul said.
