In a search-and-rescue operation on Tuesday, Indian Coast Guard Ship Priyadarshini had rescued nine fishermen from a distressed fishing boat of Tamil Nadu that was adrift, about 95 nautical miles off the Andhra Pradesh coast.
The fishing boat had started from Chennai on March 13 and had developed a technical snag on March 25, and since then had been drifting away from the coast.
The stranded boat, along with the distressed crew, were located by an ICG aircraft operating from Chennai, and ICGS Priyadarshini patrolling in the area was diverted for immediate assistance.
Upon reaching the fishing boat, the ICGS personnel provided the required technical support, rectified the defect, and made the boat operational. All the nine crew members were said to be in a healthy condition.
Later, the boat was escorted close to the Andhra coast, and might enter Visakhapatnam late on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, in an advisory, the Coast Guard officials asked fishermen not to venture alone, and carry adequate lifesaving equipment and communication sets.
