The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on Tuesday rescued 19 Bangladeshi fishermen who were adrift at sea without food or water for nearly a fortnight. 

Their fishing trawler was spotted inside India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by an ICG Dornier patrolling the area late on Monday. 

After efforts to raise the crew over radio, the aircraft guided an ICG ship to the location of the trawler and the fishermen were rescued.

“The fishermen were in very bad condition when we found them. They had run out of food and water. The master of the trawler ‘Rana’ told us that they left Cox’s Bazar on November 15 and the vessel developed engine trouble soon thereafter," a senior ICG official said.

"It seems that they drifted in Bangladeshi waters for the next two-odd weeks before crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) inadvertently. That is when our aircraft spotted it,” the official added.

After failing to communicate with Rana over VHF radio failed, the ICG Dornier passed on the information to Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varad that was deployed in the Bay of Bengal on another operational mission. 

Personnel on the ICGS Varad boarded the trawler on Tuesday morning and came to know of the crew’s predicament. All relief, including food, water and medical assistance, was provided. 

The ICG’s northeast regional headquarters in Kolkata then got in touch with the Bangladesh Coast Guard, as per a set protocol, to take back the trawler and fishermen at a predesignated point along the IMBL.

When asked why Bangladesh isn’t letting go of some Indian fishermen apprehended by them, the official said that the agreement is only for those in distress who cross over the IMBL inadvertently. 

A few days ago, an Indian fishing boat was apprehended by Bangladeshi authorities while fishing in their waters. The official said this boat was a frequent offender and its master had been warned on at least three occasions.

Source: Times of India

BDST: 1235 HRS, DEC 09, 2020
AP