Oil tanker rescues local fishermen adrift aboard troubled fishing vessel

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo has coordinated the rescue of three fishermen whose lives were at risk aboard a distressed local fishing trawler in the high seas southeast of Sri Lanka, about 174 nautical miles (about 322 km) from the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse, the Navy headquarters said.

The local fishing trawler (Reg No. IMUL – A-0301 MTR) had left the Valaichchenai Fisheries Harbour on July 02, 2022. The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources alerted MRCC Colombo, established in the Navy Headquarters that particular vessel had been adrift in high seas. Subsequently, MRCC Colombo has directed the MT-SHOGUN, an oil tanker which was sailing nearby to assist the distressed fishing trawler.

Through the intervention of MRCC Colombo, the tanker rescued the fishermen on Monday evening, having reached the distressed fishing vessel that was adrift hazardously in rough seas. Necessary arrangements were being made to bring the fishermen to the Galle harbour, the navy said.