The Mandapam Station of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has rescued seven fishermen who were stranded on the high seas after their fishing vessel developed cracks and was about to sink following ingress and accumulation of water in the engine room.
An ICG release issued here said that the ICG ship, Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) Hovercraft -195, was on routine patrol in the Palk Bay on Monday when it received a distress call from the fishing boat.
The hovercraft rushed to the spot, about three nautical miles off Rameswaram, and found cracks on both sides of the forward portion of the boat’s hull, resulting in ingress and accumulation of water in engine room, the release said.
The ICG personnel carried out cold repairs on the cracks and after arresting the flooding, escorted the boat with seven fishermen onboard to safety to Mandapam harbour, the release added.
