Fishermen escape as CG hovercraft rams boat

Sensing danger, they jumped into the sea and were rescued by Coast Guard personnel

Three fishermen had a providential escape on Sunday as an Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) hovercraft of the Mandapam station of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) “rammed” their vallam . The fishermen saved themselves by jumping into the sea.

The hovercraft, which was on a routine patrolling in the Gulf of Mannar, was cruising at a speed of about 20 nautical miles per hour when the fishermen, near Kurusadai islet, south off Pamban, tried to cross its way, officials said.

But before the hovercraft collided with the boat, they jumped into the sea and escaped.

The Coast Guard personnel rescued all the three fishermen and offered them first aid before taking them to the Mandapam station.