Chennai, July 26 (UNI) A Naval helicopter from 'INS Parundu'
and a fishing boat rescued eight fishermen from a sinking
fishing trawler near Manali Island south of Pamban bridge
near Rameswaram today.
A defence release here said at about 0605 hrs this morning,
a message was received from Mandapam Coast Guard Station
about a capsized fishing boat near Manali Island South of the
Pamban Bridge.
A Naval helicopter from INS Parundu was immediately launched
for Search and Rescue(SAR) Operation.
The helicopter sighted the fishing trawler on a coral reef about
eight miles from the coast.
The boat was sinking fast due to possible damage to the hull and
the bad sea conditions.
Four of the eight fishermen were winched up by the helicopter
in two batches and evacuated to Mandapam helipad, 15 miles
away and handed over to Coast Guard representatives.
The remaining four fishermen were rescued by another fishing
boat which reached the area subsequently.
The timely information from Coast Guard and swift action by
the Indian Navy resulted in the timely rescuing of the fishermen.
UNI GV 1611