Japanese tanker saves six Lankan fishermen

The Navy is bringing ashore 06 fishermen rescued by a Japanese tanker from a distressed local multi-day fishing trawler found drifting about 480 nautical miles (889km) off Dondra, south of Sri Lanka. The fishermen’s rescue was coordinated by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, the navy headquarters said.

The local multi-day fishing trawler (Reg No. IMUL – A – 0866 CHW) was reported to have left the Wennappuwa Fisheries Harbour with 06 fishermen on 21st March and the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DFAR) alerted MRCC Colombo established in the Navy Headquarters after it reported being in distress.

The Navy notified merchant vessels in the vicinity to assist the distressed trawler. Consequently, the nearby Japanese-flagged tanker MT ‘TONEGAWA’ arrived at the trawler’s location to assist. Coordinated by MRCC Colombo, the Japanese tanker successfully rescued all six fishermen unharmed on 31st May. A Navy ship will bring the rescued fishermen to shore in the coming days.