Udupi: Sunken Malpe-registered fishing boat drifts ashore at Uchila Beach

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, July 4, 2026: A Malpe-registered gillnet fishing boat, ’Manju Matha’, which had met with an accident after taking on water in the Arabian Sea, drifted ashore at Uchila Beach on Friday evening.

The boat had departed from the Malpe Fishing Harbour on the morning of June 29 for a fishing trip. Later that afternoon, a leak developed in the hull, causing seawater to enter the vessel. As the situation worsened, the fishermen alerted the Indian Coast Guard.

Coast Guard personnel rushed to the spot and safely rescued all six fishermen on board. However, the damaged boat could not be salvaged and was left adrift in the sea after the rescue operation.

The rescued fishermen were later taken to the Coastal Security Police Station at the New Mangalore Port Authority, where officials from the Fisheries Department, Immigration Department, and local police verified their documents. Of the six fishermen, four were found to be from Tamil Nadu and two from Kerala.

Authorities alleged that the boat had ventured out for fishing during the fishing ban imposed by the district administration. A report has been submitted to the Fisheries Department recommending legal action against the boat owner and the cancellation of the vessel’s registration and fishing licence.

At around 6:15 pm on Friday, the abandoned boat drifted ashore at Uchila Beach. On receiving information, Hejamady Coastal Security Police Station Head Constable Abdul Razak, along with personnel Praveen, K.N.D. Rajesh and Teertha, assisted by local fishermen and members of the public, safely pulled the boat ashore.