In a remarkable display of prompt action, the Indian Coast Guard Ship Veera, while patrolling the Andhra coast, heroically rescued nine fishermen who had sustained severe burn injuries following a catastrophic fire on their vessel, which subsequently sank at sea on April 5, 2024.
The distress signal was picked up by the ICGS Veera via a radio message from a neighboring fishing boat, alerting them to the fierce blaze aboard the IFB Durga Bhavani. The vessel, registered in Andhra and having departed from Kakinada harbor on March 26 with its nine crew members, met with disaster when a gas cylinder exploded on April 5. In a desperate bid for survival, all nine fishermen leaped into the sea, with some incurring serious burns. The damaged boat succumbed to the explosion’s aftermath and sank within minutes. The nearby boat that witnessed the event communicated the dire circumstances to the Coast Guard ship, which immediately embarked on a rescue mission.
With the gravity of the situation clear, the ICGS Veera hastened to the scene at full speed, arriving within hours to aid the stricken fishermen. The survivors were promptly transferred to the Coast Guard vessel, where they received initial medical treatment.
Concurrently, the Coast Guard District Headquarters No. 6, in collaboration with JD Fisheries Visakhapatnam, swiftly organized ambulances and medical teams to transport the critically injured crew members. The fishermen were taken to King George Hospital in Visakhapatnam for advanced care. The ICGS Veera’s rapid response ensured the entire rescue operation was concluded in a mere six hours.
The Indian Coast Guard stands as the principal authority in providing aid to fishermen at sea and serves as the national coordinator for maritime Search and Rescue operations.