Port Blair, Jan 25: On 20 Jan 22, at 1615 Hrs, MFB Vandana, departed from Durgapur, Diglipur for fishing with 03 fishermen onboard. The Boat raised a distress call when it was adrift South-West of East Island. On receipt of information from MRCC Port Blair, HQ ANC instructed Coast Guard Ship C-416 to provide assistance to the distressed boat.

On arrival at datum, the Coast Guard Ship embarked its technical team onboard the fishing boat and attempted defect rectification. However, the efforts proved futile due to non-availability of spares. Thereafter, the Coast Guard ship C-416 took MFB Vandana under tow and entered harbour at 2250 hrs on 20 Jan 22, thus facilitating safe returns of the 03 fishermen, and their Boat to Diglipur.

The swift action reinforces commitment of Andaman and Nicobar Command to assist fishermen at sea when in distress, in consonance with Coast Guard motto of ‘Vayam Rakshamah’.