The International Fishermen Development Trust (INFIDET) has urgently requested rescue operations for 12 fishermen who remain stranded at sea after their mechanized boat suffered an engine failure. The vessel, named Mary Shanio, departed from Kochi harbour on May 12 and is currently adrift near the Maharashtra coast, causing deep concern among the families of the crew members.
Crew Composition and Origin
The stranded fishermen hail from three Indian states. According to INFIDET president P Justin Antony, the crew includes eight fishermen from Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, three from Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, and one from Assam. The diversity of the crew highlights the interconnected nature of India's fishing communities.
Appeals for Immediate Intervention
INFIDET has appealed to the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Mumbai to intervene swiftly. The organization warns that changing weather conditions and depleting food and water supplies could worsen the situation. Antony stated that the boat is immobilized hundreds of nautical miles off the Maharashtra coast, making timely rescue critical.
In addition to contacting maritime authorities, INFIDET has sent representations to the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Assam, urging state-level support for the rescue mission. The trust is coordinating efforts to ensure the safety of the fishermen.
Second Incident: Collision Injures Fisherman
In a separate incident on Sunday, a mechanized fishing boat named Susanna was struck by a ship identified as Ocean Radiance about 10 nautical miles off the Kasaragod coast. The Susanna, operating from Thengaipattinam in Kanyakumari district, had six crew members on board. One fisherman sustained injuries in the collision. The crew has lodged a formal complaint with authorities in Kasaragod, and an investigation is expected to follow.
These back-to-back incidents underscore the risks faced by fishermen in Indian waters and highlight the need for enhanced maritime safety measures and rapid response mechanisms.
