Udupi: Several fishing boats that left port at Malpe are in danger after the inclement weather and rough seas caused havoc. A fishing boat sunk near Kodibengre, whereas two other boats were left stranded at sea at Surathkal and Bhatkal after encountering technical snags on high seas.
The fishing boat “Hanuma Saanidhya” owned by Shakunthala Karkera of Thottam, encountered a technical snag at 12 nautical miles off the coast from Kodibengre and was adrift at sea. The swell and wind pushed the boat around 7 miles to the shore. The boat crashed into the boulders and sunk under water.
The three fishermen on the boat, however, escaped from the jaws of death in the nick of time as they were rescued by fishing boats “Bhavyata” and “Lakshmi Pandari” who were nearby. The boats also towed the damaged boat ashore. According to the fishermen, it would take around Rs 9 Lakh to repair the damage to the boat.
Reports said that two other boats that left Malpe port two days earlier are also left stranded at sea. Fishing boat “Vishwas”, along with 9 crew members, is marooned at sea at about 35 nautical miles from Surathkal whereas the boat “Laxmi Janardhan” and its 8 crew members are stranded 40 nautical miles away from Bhatkal due to engine failure, sources said.
Though the coast guard has been informed of the situation, the rescue is taking time because of the rough weather and high waves. All of the fishermen are, reportedly, safe and in contact with the coast guard.
.jpg)
