Even as a number of fishermen, who were cast adrift in the high seas by Cyclone Ockhi and rescued thereafter, have begun returning to the mainland, concerns are being raised about the fate of around a hundred others on board 11 vessels which have gone missing from Kochi.
According to Charles George, convenor of Matsya Thozhilali Aikya Vedi, data collected from traders at the Thoppumpady harbour suggested that 207 fishing vessels had ventured into the sea just before Ockhi’s arrival. Of them, over a 100 have already returned, while several others are reported to have been stationed at ports such as Sindhudurg in Maharashtra; Veraval in Gujarat, and Karwar and Malpe in Karnataka.
“Among the remaining vessels, 11 were last spotted along the stretch between Lakshadweep Islands and Kollam where the cyclone unleashed its full fury. Moreover, crew members who have just returned from the islands have spotted debris of several capsized boats. But there is absolutely no trace of those on board the vessels,” he said.
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Based on inputs provided by fishermen who have returned, the Aikyavedi has demanded that the State government take steps to trace the missing boats immediately.
The boats that have gone missing, according to the fishermen, are Matha, Tuya Antonia-1, Barrack, Arputha Matha, Mother of Velankanni, Barracuda, Vyakula Matha, Ct. Catherine, Cockoo, St. Antony, and Vijovin. Most of these vessels were registered in Tamil Nadu and had fishermen from other States on board. Similarly, the agencies involved in search and rescue operations in the Arabian sea are yet to trace the 28 vessels that had gone on a multi-day expedition from Kochi. According to local fishermen, the boats carried around 300 fishermen and were last reported to be further north of Lakshadweep Islands.
“Concern over the safety of those on board the vessels is dispelled considering that the cyclone had no impact in the region. They are expected to return as and when their expedition is over,” Mr. George said.
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