Coast Guard Saves 7 Crew Members After Boat Suffers Hull Damage Off Kutch

The Indian Coast Guard rescued seven crew members from a fishing boat that suffered hull damage and began taking on water off the Jakhau coast in Gujarat’s Kutch district, officials said on Saturday.

The rescue operation was carried out on Friday after the fishing boat IFB Parameshwari sent a distress call while operating around 32 nautical miles west of Jakhau.

According to the Coast Guard, the boat had sustained hull damage, resulting in flooding in its engine compartment. The crew sought assistance as the vessel faced the risk of further damage amid adverse weather conditions in the area.

Responding to the emergency call, Coast Guard ship Apoorva reached the distressed fishing boat and initiated a rescue operation. “Battling adverse weather, the ICG team safely rescued all seven crew members,” the Coast Guard said in a post on X.

The rescued crew members were subsequently brought ashore and taken to Jakhau harbour in Gujarat on Saturday. All seven crew members were reported to be safe and in stable condition, the Coast Guard said.

The incident highlights the role of the Coast Guard in responding to maritime emergencies along the country’s coastline, particularly during challenging weather conditions.

The Coast Guard regularly undertakes search-and-rescue operations involving fishing vessels and other boats in distress and coordinates with maritime agencies to ensure the safety of people at sea.

In this case, the timely response by the Coast Guard ship helped evacuate the crew from the damaged vessel before the situation could worsen.

The authorities did not immediately provide further details about the extent of damage to IFB Parameshwari or the circumstances that led to the hull damage. The rescued crew members were safely brought to Jakhau harbour, bringing the emergency operation to a successful conclusion.