Mangalore, Jun 23: In a daring rescue operation, Indian Coast Guard has saved 16 lives from fishing boat Al-Husaini left stranded by pirates off the coast of Lakshadweep islands on Sunday.
The rescued fishermen include 13 Iranians and three Pakistanis. They were on board Al-Husaini, over 250 nautical miles west of Lakshadweep.
The coast guard ship Varuna, which had saved 22 lives on 12 june, proved its mettle as saviour at sea in yet another lifesaving mission in adverse weather conditions.
The fishing boat had departed kanraka/ chahbhar port Iran on 16 may 13 and was captured by Somali pirates off Socotra. The pirates after utilising the boat for 25 days left it stranded on June 10 emptying food and fuel.
The Indian coast guard was requested for assistance on June 21. Coast Guard MRCC diverted merchant vessels in proximity to render assistance. Also, Coast Guard aircraft was launched from Kochi and it detected the distressed vessel on June 21.
The CG aircraft diverted coast guard ship Varuna for the rescue mission. In the meantime, the merchant vessels in the area were unable to provide assistance due to rough weather conditions. ICGS Varuna reached area by June 22 and despite prevailing hostile weather sea state was able to provide bare essentials to stranded boat and crew.
The ship also provided medical support to the distraught crew. The fishing boat is being escorted to Kochi by Varuna in prevailing rough weather conditions. The ship is commanded by CDR KM Arun Kumar.
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