Missing fishermen, trawlers rescued from Bay of Bengal

All seven fishing trawlers which had gone missing in the Bay of Bengal due to bad weather have been found to be safe.

Coast Guard officials said since yesterday they were running a search and rescue operation after receiving reports from the Fisheries Department about seven fishing boats missing in the Bay of Bengal.

Out of them, four had returned to harbour safely, while one boat which was stranded due to engine failure was located by Coast Guard ship Raziya Sultana.
The boat along with all 10 crew on board was provided with necessary assistance and was being towed towards Sagar island, the officials said.

Two Coast Guard ship and a Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft were deployed in the sea for the rescue mission. The remaining boats were also found later in the day.

Rough sea condition due to a deep depression along the West Bengal coast had made the search and rescue operation difficult.

Director General Indian Coast Guard Rajendra Singh, who is on official visit to Haldia and Kolkata, had personally monitored the operation.