A fishing canoe from Goa's Canacona, which had been missing with four crew members on board since Monday, was successfully located and brought back to safety on Tuesday evening. The vessel was found adrift off the coast of Karwar in Karnataka before being escorted back to the Talpona fishing jetty in Goa.
Search and Rescue Operation Launched
According to initial reports, the traditional fishing boat encountered strong winds which caused it to drift. The situation worsened when the canoe ran out of fuel, leaving the four fishermen stranded at sea. Upon receiving the alert, a joint search operation was immediately initiated by the Indian Coast Guard and the Goa coastal police.
The concerted efforts of the maritime security forces paid off when the missing vessel was finally spotted in the afternoon hours of Tuesday. The canoe was then safely towed back to its home port at Talpona by the evening, confirming the safety of all four fishermen on board.
Villagers' Protest and Official Response
Earlier on Tuesday, news of the missing canoe had sparked anxiety and anger in the Talpona village. Concerned family members and local residents were upset, alleging a delayed initial response from the authorities. Their frustration culminated in a protest where agitated villagers blocked the national highway for approximately an hour.
Deputy Collector Pradeep Gaonkar addressed the allegations, stating that authorities had already sprung into action to trace the vessel. He denied any inaction, explaining that the protest itself had hampered official movements. "We had gotten into action to trace the missing vessel, but agitated villagers blocked the national highway for about an hour," Gaonkar said.
Coordinated Efforts to Manage the Crisis
Gaonkar detailed the steps taken by the administration, highlighting that they were in constant touch with the Coast Guard, coastal police, and the fisheries department from the beginning. To keep the families informed and reassured, a mamlatdar was specifically deployed to brief the relatives of the missing fishermen and provide regular updates on the ongoing search efforts.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Nilesh Rane, who arrived at the site of the highway blockade, reiterated that all possible resources were being utilized to find the canoe. The tension was finally defused when Rane conveyed the message received from the coastal police confirming that the canoe had been found and all crew members were safe.
The successful conclusion of this incident underscores the critical role of inter-agency coordination in maritime search and rescue operations along India's western coast. It also highlights the community's deep concern for the safety of those who venture out to sea for their livelihood.
