(Photo credit: ANI)
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued six fishermen from a sinking fishing vessel off the Mangaluru coast on Monday evening, following a difficult overnight search and rescue mission marked by rough seas and deteriorating visibility. The fishermen were aboard the Indian Fishing Boat (IFB) Manju Matha when it ran into trouble roughly 33 nautical miles off the Suratkal coast. According to an ICG statement, the Coast Guard ship Sachet picked up a VHF distress call around 4 pm, with the crew reporting flooding and hull damage caused by heavy seas. All six fishermen on board were said to be in immediate danger.ICGS Sachet was redirected to the location without delay and reached the stricken boat within an hour and a half, as reported by ANI. The rescue itself unfolded in punishing conditions, with rough water, strong winds, poor visibility and fading daylight all adding to the difficulty of the operation and putting heavy demands on the rescue crew’s skill and coordination.Even so, the Sachet’s crew carried out the mission efficiently, using remote-operated lifebuoys built for harsh sea conditions to reach and pull the stranded men to safety. By 6 pm, all six fishermen had been recovered unharmed. ICGS Sachet is now headed to New Mangalore, where the rescued crew will be brought ashore and the remaining procedural steps completed.The Coast Guard described the rescue as evidence of its ongoing commitment to protecting lives at sea, noting that it reflects how well-trained personnel and modern equipment work together during difficult maritime emergencies. The statement reiterated the force’s motto, “Vayam Rakshamah” (We Protect), and its continued role in monitoring India’s waters and responding to vessels in distress.
