New Delhi: Indian Naval Ship Airavat rescued port Blair based fishing vessel Saleth Matha II off Carnicobar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Ministry of Defence said today.
“20 metres long fishing boat with seven crew members on board had been drifting off Carnicobar requesting assistance on millimetre-wave mobile broadband (MMB) channel 16 due to a major defect in the gearbox since early morning on July 29,” the Ministry said.
INS Airavat received a distress call from a fishing vessel at 2300 hrs on 30 July 21.
INS was transiting through the area whilst on her return leg from Jakarta, Indonesia post successful delivery of COVID 19 relief material as part of operation Samudra Setu II, the Ministry said.
It immediately proceeded towards the fishing vessel at maximum speed to render assistance, it added.
Gusting winds more than 25 knots, swell up to 3.5 meters and intermittent rains because of active South-West monsoon in the region made connecting up the towing arrangements an extremely difficult task.
INS Airavat is presently towing a fishing vessel to the nearest harbour for further assistance, the Ministry said.
