Search on for five boats missing with 30 fishermen

Rajahmundry: The East Godavari fisheries department has taken up intensive search operation in association with Coast Guard for missing fishermen who ventured in to sea for fishing on November 23 from Vizag.

In total seven motor boats with 42 crew members from Ameenabad in Uppada-Kothapalli mandal of East Godavari ventured into sea for fishing from Vizag.

It is learnt that the fishermen strongly believe that immediately after a cyclone or low pressure the fish catch would be more because of rough sea weather.

This belief led them to venture into sea despite strict vigil by both marine police and fisheries department in accordance to the guidelines issued by district authorities not to opt for fishing till further information due to bad weather conditions.

Of the seven boats, two with 12 crew members returned to the district on Wednesday noon. The search is on for the remaining 30 fishermen in five boats.

According to EG fisheries department deputy director D. Govindayya, the Coast Guard ship from Vizag intensified search operations in the coast to trace the boats.

“We are searching the missing boats around Nakkapalli area in Vizag district and efforts are being made to trace the exact location with the help of Coast Guard,” the deputy director revealed.
He said that of the five missing, two boats with 12 crew members returned to Uppada coast late on Wednesday evening.