Navy brings ashore sick fisher from multi-day trawler

The Navy yesterday (26) brought ashore a fisherman who had fallen ill aboard a multi-day fishing trawler. The rescue operation took place approximately 460 nautical miles (about 851km) off the coast of Galle.

The multi-day fishing trawler, named ‘Krevin Baba 01,’ with six crew members on board, had set sail from the Dickkovita fisheries harbour, on 23 May. However, one of the crew members fell seriously ill at sea, southwest of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (CC) Colombo, located at the Navy Headquarters, about the incident.

The Navy directed SLNS Vijayabahu, on surveillance duties in southern waters to the designated sea area, to bring the patient ashore. On 24 May, naval personnel transferred the ailing fisherman to SLNS Vijayabahu. The ship then proceeded towards the Galle harbour and the Navy administered first aid to the patient and, upon arrival in Galle, on 26 May,the patient was rushed to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital.