Navy rescues Indian trawler

The Sri Lanka Navy rescued an Indian fishing trawler which had run aground on the sand banks in the North-western seas of Sri Lanka on July 31, 2011. The Indian fishing trawler, named “Selvaboodhi” and bearing the registration number TN/10/MFB/843 with five Indian fishing crew onboard, was sighted stuck in the sand banks by a SLN craft on routine patrol in the seas off Thalai-mannar.

Having realized the difficulty faced by the Indian fishing crew in retrieving their grounded trawler from the sand banks, SLN divers rendered their expertise assistance to set it afloat. The Indian fishing crew who had been exhausted by the ordeal was provided with food and refreshment. Thereafter, another SLN fast vessel, which was directed to assist the rescue mission, escorted the retrieved Indian fishing trawler to Thalai-mannar Jetty.

Arrangements were made yesterday to repatriate the Indian fishing crew along with their trawler so that they can reunite with their loved ones back home. They were handed over to Indian Coast Guard Ship 146 at the International Maritime Boundary Line off Thalai-mannar by Sri Lanka Naval Ship “Wickrama II” attached to the Northern Naval Command. The Sri Lanka Navy renders assistance to Indian fishermen in distress on humanitarian grounds using its vessels and personnel despite the heavy expenses incurred in the process.

Indian fishermen have expressed their gratitude for the provision of swift rescue assistance and the hospitality extended by the Sri Lanka Navy, providing them with food and accommodation as well as technical and salvaging assistance when they are in distress in Sri Lankan waters.