INS Bangaram, keeping vigil off the Kerala coast, responded to a distress call from a stranded fishing boat and towed it to safety off the Kochi harbour early Wednesday morning.
The boat, Infant Jesus, operating from Mattancherry, had been drifting in high seas since Sunday after it lost propulsion due to a defective gearbox. The naval ship located the boat about 65 km off the Alappuzha coast, with seven personnel onboard, at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Naval personnel from INS Bangaram, commanded by Commander Varghese Mathew, embarked the boat and engaged the tow, as the boat's crew was exhausted due to fatigue and rough seas.
The crew was administered medical care and provided with nourishment. INS Bangaram escorted the fishing boat under tow up to the mouth of the harbour before returning to resume patrol.
