New Delhi. Indian Coast Guard (ICG) which has stepped up efforts for search and Rescue of fishermen stranded in the wake of Cyclone “Kyarr” has so far rescued 25 fishermen and escorted more than 2740 fishing boats to safety at various ports in the West Coast.
The Coast Guard has been issuing weather warnings since October 18 to all stake holders and fishermen requesting them to refrain from proceeding to sea and recall those already at sea. ICG Ships, aircraft, MRCCs and ROS broadcast messages to all seafarers in vernacular languages also to apprise them of the cyclonic weather and advised them to return to harbour.
Close coordination with Fisheries association and authorities, Coastal Security Group, Marine Police and other stakeholders is maintained to account for the stranded fishing boats and return them to safety.
Nine ICG ships have been deployed for locating the fishing boats and rendering assistance to stranded fisherman in affected areas along the impact areas of cyclones. Two ICG Dornier have been tasked for area scan and to locate stranded fishing boats. One ICG Helo sortie have been augmented for area scan and to locate stranded fishing boats.
The proactive efforts of ICG units resulted in safely escorting more than 2740 boats of various states stranded in the wake of the cyclone. In Veravel, two fishing boats have been escorted by ICG Ship Samudra Prahari to Goa. In Pipavav 1676 fishing boats have been shifted to safe location. 500 boats of Gujarat, 80 boats of Kerala, two boats of Karnataka have been sheltered at Rajapuri, Maharashtra. 130 boats have taken shelter at Jaigarh. Seven fishing boats have taken shelter at Mumbai and around 600 fishing boats at Sindhudurg. 197 boats from other states have been taken shelter at Ratnagiri. 80 boats from other states have taken shelter at Goa. 500 fishing boats of other states have taken shelter at Karwar, 120 at Udipi, 50 at Mangalore and 20 at Malpe in Karnataka.
ICG units are maintaining close coordination with fisheries authorities and other stakeholders for search and rescue of 14 missing and stranded fishing boats.
