New Delhi:

In a coordinated sea-air operation, the Coast Guard on Wednesday rescued an Indian fishing boat, which was in a critical condition due to flooding from a hull rupture, with 11 crew onboard off the Kerala coast, amid heavy rain and challenging weather conditions.

An ICG Dornier aircraft on maritime surveillance had located the distressed Indian fishing boat (IFB) on the night of July 16, the Defence Ministry said in a statement.

“The vessel was in a critical condition due to flooding from a hull rupture near the keel and loss of propulsion, which posed a threat to the safety of the crew,” the ministry said.

On the night of 16 Jul 24, an #ICG#Dornier aircraft located IFB Aashni (IND-TN-12-MM-6673) with 11 crew, 50 NM west of #Ponani, #Kerala amidst severe flooding and engine failure. @IndiaCoastGuard#MRCC initiated SAR effort despite adverse weather conditions. #ICG Ship #Saksham… pic.twitter.com/MaCNn21O3V

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) July 17, 2024

In a coordinated sea-air operation, the Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued the stranded IFB ‘Aashni’, about 80 nautical miles from Kochi, amid heavy rain and challenging weather conditions, the statement said.

Patrolling ICG ship ‘Saksham’ was immediately diverted by the ICG district headquarters no. 4 (Kerala & Mahe) to assist the vessel.

“To bolster the efforts, another ICG ship ‘Abhinav’ was deployed, along with an advanced light helicopter to rescue the crew. A technical ICG team embarked onto the distressed boat, carried out de-flooding operations, and provided necessary assistance. The operation culminated with the rescue of all crew members, and the vessel,” the statement said.

The boat was subsequently handed over to the fisheries department.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

New Delhi:

The Indian Coast Guard has apprehended an Indian fishing boat with “unauthorised cash” off the Maharashtra coast, the defence ministry said on Wednesday.

The operation revealed a “carriage of Rs 11.46 lakh which was meant to be given to some Indian OSV (Offshore Supply Vessel) operating from offshore areas in return of smuggled diesel”, the ministry said in a statement.

“The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has apprehended an Indian fishing boat carrying unauthorised cash, reported to be involved in the smuggling of diesel, 83 nautical miles (nm) northwest off Mumbai,” it said.

The vessel was brought to Mumbai anchorage in the early hours of Wednesday. A joint investigation with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Customs, and state police is being carried out to trace the linkages and to take further legal actions by respective agencies, officials said.

@IndiaCoastGuard Ship Subhadra Kumari Chauhan in an INT OP apprehended an #Indian fishing boat allegedly involved in illegal transshipment of #Diesel off #Mumbai Coast and recovered Rs 11.46 lakh of currency meant for diesel smuggling. OP involved multi ship/shore coordination… pic.twitter.com/L76JWKBF2W

— Indian Coast Guard (@IndiaCoastGuard) April 17, 2024

The suspected boat was located and boarded on the night of April 15.

Based on a tip-off from Customs, the ICG Regional Headquarters (West) had launched an operation, involving a sustained search during challenging night conditions amid considerable fishing and merchant traffic covering an area of 200 square miles including offshore development areas off Maharashtra coast, the statement said.

“In a coordinated operation, comprising a search by two ICG Fast Patrol Vessels and one Interceptor Boat, the suspected boat was located and boarded on the night of April 15,” it added.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the boat, with five crew, departed Mandwa port on April 14 to “effect rendezvous with suspected Indian Offshore Supply Vessels (OSV) with an intent to smuggle diesel”, the statement said.

It was found out that the boat was operating with modified holds to store fuel up to 20,000 litres and operating with “false/multiple identities”, it said.

Correlation with available data on the suspect boat had indicated multiple discrepancies in vessel registration, the statement said. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)