Fishing Rescue – Navy Airlifts Survivor as Search Continues off Visakhapatnam
Fishing Rescue – Search efforts remained underway on Monday for six fishermen missing after boat IND-AP-MM-VS-83 capsized off the Visakhapatnam coast. One crew member, Kari Chinna, was safely brought to shore after being rescued at sea by a merchant vessel.
Survivor shifted for medical assessment
Kari Chinna, the owner of the missing fishing boat, was airlifted from the Panama-flagged merchant ship MV Universe Wealthy to INS Dega at about 7 pm. Officials said he was examined on arrival and found to be in stable condition before being moved to KIMS ICON Hospital for further medical checks.
He had been picked up by the merchant vessel on Sunday after the fishing boat went missing in rough waters. His transfer to shore was delayed because poor weather initially made helicopter evacuation and vessel-to-vessel movement unsafe. The airlift was completed after sea and weather conditions improved.
Chief Minister seeks wider search operation
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu reviewed the rescue operation and asked officials to intensify efforts to locate the remaining fishermen. He directed authorities to expand the search area around Gangavaram, where the boat is believed to have capsized, and ensure support is provided to the affected families.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that high winds, strong swells and limited visibility were continuing to affect the operation. He asked the administration to maintain regular updates on the search and make every possible effort to trace the missing crew members.
Navy, Coast Guard and police coordinate response
The alert about the missing vessel was reportedly received from members of the fishing community around 11 pm on July 4. The Regional Operations Centre and Regional Operations Station in Visakhapatnam were then informed, leading to a coordinated search involving the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy and Coastal Security Police.
Indian Coast Guard ship Kanaklata Barua was redirected to the likely search zone shortly after the alert. ICGS Veera was later deployed from Visakhapatnam to strengthen the effort. The Eastern Naval Command has also sent two ships and two helicopters, including a Sea King and an Advanced Light Helicopter, for the rescue mission.
Weather remains a major challenge
Inspector General of Police, Visakhapatnam Range, Gopinath Jatti said three helicopter sorties had been completed since Sunday. Electronic monitoring is also being carried out through the Regional Operations Station in Visakhapatnam.
Search teams are continuing operations despite difficult sea conditions. Strong winds, rising waves and poor visibility have restricted movement in the area, but naval ships, Coast Guard vessels and aircraft remain engaged in locating the six missing fishermen.
Separate rescue operation brings relief to 20 fishermen
Authorities are also handling another fishing emergency involving boat IND-AP-V5-MM-872, which suffered a mechanical failure near the Puri coast after leaving for a fishing trip on June 20. The vessel, carrying 20 fishermen, remained stranded at sea for nearly six days as cyclone alerts and adverse weather complicated rescue work.
According to police, 10 fishermen were moved from the disabled boat to another fishing vessel from Visakhapatnam. The Coast Guard is escorting the vessel back, with all 20 fishermen reported to be onboard.
East Coast Mechanised Fishing Boat Owners Association of India president V. Janakiram said families were still seeking clearer information about the six fishermen who remain untraced.