Boat Catches Fire : 21 fishermen rescued unhurt

Boat Catches Fire : 21 fishermen rescued unhurt

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Nov 27: A fishing boat named ’BABA PRASAD’ which developed a technical snag in mid sea later caught fire  at Alivekodi near Hejamady in Udupi district on the afternoon of November 27, Friday.The boat which was on its way to Malpe from Mukka, was  gutted in the  mishap.

All the 21 fishermen in the ill-fated  boat were rescued by the local people and native fishermen. No one was hurt in the mishap.Though the distress message had been communicated, the Coast Guard men did not turn up to help the boat in distress, complained Sashi Mendon, the owner of the boat.

 

According to the men in the boat, one of them observed smoke  coming from the engine room and informed the driver (captain).But, the engine caught fire even before anyone could raise an alarm. The  panic stricken team sent distress messages to Coast Guards and eventually the local  fisher folks swung into action and rescued the men in the boat.

It is learnt the boat which was commissioned just a month ago, was on way to Malpe to fetch fishing net. Friday, being a holiday, (Bakrid) they had not ventured into  fishing. Had it been a working day it would have been a disaster far from the shore. 
The cost of the newly built boat which is insured,is said to be around Rs one crore.