Coast Guard rescues stranded 16 foreign fishermen near Lakshadweep

Coast Guard rescues stranded 16 foreign fishermen near Lakshadweep

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 24, 2013: As many as 16 fishermen including 13 Iranians and three Pakistanis were rescued by the Indian Coast Guards from the  fishing boat Al-Husaini which was left stranded by pirates off the coast of Lakshadweep on June 23, Sunday.

All the fishermen were stranded  on board Al-Husaini, nearly 250 nautical miles west of Lakshadweep.  Varuna the Coast Guard ship was part of the operation and was successful in saving the fishermen even in the rough sea and inclement weather.

 Al-Husaini which had left Kanraka/ chahbhar port of Iran on May 16,   was captured by Somali pirates off Socotra. After emptying the food and fuel and using the boat for 25 days, the pirates left it stranded.

Assistance was sought from the Indian Coast Guard on June 21 and  the   Coast Guard aircraft even detected the distressed vessel  and soon the Coast Guard  ship Varuna  was sent on a rescue mission. Varuna reached the spot on June 22  and assisted the stranded fishermen and also provided them  medical aid. They were then taken to Kochi. ICGS Varuna is commanded by CDR KM Arun Kumar.