Mangaluru: Coast Guard Karnataka has been undertaking extensive search for a missing fisherman, Hameed since Monday, September 19.
Fishing boat Fathima had ventured for fishing with 6 fishermen and while returning to Old Port Mangaluru at 5:30 pm on Monday, hit a rock near breakwater and started to sink due to flooding. Five fishermen were rescued by a pilot boat belonging to Bilal from Bengre. Hameed is still missing.
At about 9:30 pm on Monday, Coastal Security Police (CSP), Mangaluru informed Coast Guard Karnataka regarding the incident. After receipt of the information, Coast Guard Karnataka immediately diverted its ship, ICGS Amartya from the designated patrol area for the search and rescue of the missing fisherman.
ICGS Amartya rushed to the site of the sinking boat with its maximum speed and arrived at the site at 10:30 pm on Monday. Although the harbour mouth of the Old Port Mangaluru is unlit and the surrounding areas have shallow waters and rocky terrain, the ship continued its search by precise manoeuvres and navigation. To augment the search efforts, Gemini boat was lowered by the ship. The search operation continued throughout the night.
To supplement the search efforts, Coast Guard hovercraft H-196 was also tasked with the first light on September 20, 2016. The hovercraft with its amphibious capabilities searched the creeks and shallow areas. Landing parties with binoculars and maps were also dispatched from the hovercraft to search along the coast and the adjacent sea areas.
The efforts to locate the fisherman are in progress by the Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard has been repeatedly urging the fishing community to promptly report any life threatening emergency at sea so that search and rescue units can be deployed without loss of precious time. The assistance from Indian Coast Guard can be sought round the clock on toll free number: 1554. The other emergency numbers are: 2405269/2405270. In case of distress, details like GPS position, type of emergency, colour of boat and number of crew should be intimated for the timely assistance.
