According to police, Indian Coast Guard ship Savitribai Phule, while on patrol off the Mumbai coast, spotted a private boat engulfed in flames
Mumbai: It was a narrow escape for 18 fishermen as they were successfully rescued after a fishing vessel caught fire off the coast of Akshi in Alibag in the early hours of Friday
The blaze erupted around 4 am when the trawler – Ekvira Mauli – owned by Rakesh Gan was about seven nautical miles from Akshi coast in Alibag, located 100km from Mumbai. It caused panic among the 18 fishermen members aboard as they sent distress signals. Upon receiving distress signals, local fishermen, the Coast Guard and Indian Navy boats rushed to the site to launch a rescue operation.
According to police, Indian Coast Guard ship Savitribai Phule, while on patrol off the Mumbai coast, spotted a private boat engulfed in flames. It rushed to the rescue and initiated fire-fighting operations. It shifted the fishermen to another fishing boat Dhan Laxmi.
“At 0635 Hrs today ICG Ship Savitribai Phule detected Fishing boat Ekvira Mauli(IND-MH-03-MM-4922) on fire off Mumbai. Responding the distress scenario ship undertook firefighting Operation. All 14 crew shifted to another FB Dhan Laxmi. Shipborne ICG firefighting capabilities were employed to successfully extinguish the fire onboard boat. ICG provided Fishermen with firstaid and handed over boar to other IFB for onward towing assistance to alibaug. Boat has entered alibaug,” Coast Guard's official statement read.
Raigad superintendent of police stated that there were no casualties and timely intervention by the rescue teams prevented any major loss of life.
The cause of the fire is yet to be determined and an investigation is under way.
In December last year, a ferry carrying 110 people, capsized enroute to Elephanta Island from Mumbai’s Gateway of India after being struck by a Navy speedboat, resulting in over 10 deaths, including 10 civilians and a Naval officer. The incident occurred around 6:30 pm near Uran, Karanja, when a naval speedboat undergoing sea trials lost control and collided with the ferry Neelkamal.
