After a local fishing trawler capsized approximately 271 nautical miles (501km) on the high seas southwest of Galle, a nearby fishing trawler rescued its stranded fishermen. In response, the Navy is promptly making arrangements to deploy SLNS Gajabahu to the area as of now (03rd September 2024), to safely bring the fishermen ashore.
The local fishing trawler ‘Nihathamani 01’(Reg No. IMUL – A- 0690 – GLE), carrying 07 fishermen, departed from Galle Fisheries harbour on 25th August 2024 for a fishing voyage. Tragically, the trawler collided with a passing ship in the early hours of this morning, causing it to capsize. In this unfortunate turn of events, 03 fishermen went missing, while 04 others were rescued by the fishing trawler ‘Lasantha 01’ are being brought ashore. One of the rescued fishermen is in critical condition, prompting the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) to notify the Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) Colombo at Navy Headquarters for immediate assistance.
In response, the Navy dispatched SLNS Gajabahu to retrieve the fishermen being brought by the fishing trawler ‘Lasantha 01’, at the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera.
Meanwhile, the Merchant Shipping Secretariat, with the assistance of MRCC Colombo, is coordinating efforts to identify the foreign ship responsible for capsizing the Nihathamani 01 fishing trawler and pursue legal action against it.
(navy.lk)
