Fishing trawler wrecked off Dikwella

Priyan DE SILVA - Matara sports corespondent

'Sejan 4' the first 45 foot multi day fishing vessel built under the IFAD project destroyed when it drifted on to the outcrop of rocks opposite the Dikwella village hotel around 8 pm on Wednesday. The fully equipped vessel valued at Rs 20 million was owned by Jayantha Lokugamhewa of Gandara.

The vessel was equiped with a brand new six cylinder engine, a four cylinder generator, refrigeration unit, satellite navigator, echo sounder, radio transmitters and receivers, electric winches.

The ill fated 'Sejan 4' was skippered by W G M Nuwan Pushpakumara had gone to Kudawella to collect fish and had volunteered to tow a 35 foot fishing vessel which was adrift at sea.

Both vessels belonged to Jayantha Lokugamhewa and Nuwan was well known to him. The duo towed the 35 foot craft to the Gandara fisheries harbour at around 6 pm and they were returning to Kudawella the home port of 'Sejan 4'.

The engine of the vessel is said to have seized at around 7.30pm when the craft was opposite Bathigama area and about a kilometer away from the coast. All attempts to re-start the engines had failed . A radio message was sent but there were no vessels in the proximity.

The strong winds and currents carried the craft to its doom within half an hour according to Nuwan. The crew were thrown out of the boat when it flung on to the outcrop of rocks. Nuwan mannaged to swim the 150 yards to shore but Iroshan was not so lucky. He was bruised and had many sea urchin spines embedded all over his body.

He was unconscious and a guest of the Dikwella Village hotel carried Iroshan to a threewheeler. Both were admitted to Bathigama hospital and later transferred to Matara hospital. Iroshan was to undergo a surgery to remove the sea urchin spines.