By Dominick Rodrigues

Mumbai : Three fishermen stranded in a marooned Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) in the cyclone-ravaged sea off Kannur got a new lease on life after they were rescued by the Indian Coast Guard on the night of May 14, 2021.

The fishermen had gone fishing in their boat “Badhriya” on May 9 from T Talessary Harbour and were caught in the stormy waters of the sea when the Coast Guard vessel ICG “Vikram” saved them in the nick of time in a swift and daring night-bound rescue operation. The fishermen were provided medical emergency treatment onboard the ICG ship.

District Commander DIG Sanatan Jena, TM ICG Headquarters No. 4, Kerala & Mahe, which coordinates the search and rescue operation in the state, said that despite very rough sea conditions, the Coast Guard ships are combing the rough seas in a bid to rescued fisherfolk trapped in the marine cyclonic weather.

Meanwhile, even as cyclone Tauktae — which left its devastating impact off Kerala Coast — is now slowly and steadily moving up in northern direction, the Coast Guard ships have continued to maintain their patrolling on the high seas and are shepherding the storm-affected boats to safe waters near shore.

The ICG is also continuously issuing weather alert warnings to all fishermen about the deteriorating weather condition and impending cyclonic storm through Radar Stations and ICG aircraft patrolling the areas, Jena said, adding that the Indian Coast Guard is once again proving its grit and determination in being the saviours of the marine world — which is in line with its motto +Vayam Rakshamah+ (‘We Protect’).