Andhra Fishermen Missing After Boat Capsizes; Skipper Rescued After Two-Hour Swim

One fisherman survived a harrowing two-hour swim in rough seas after his mechanised fishing boat capsized off the Visakhapatnam coast on July 4, while search operations continued on Tuesday for six other missing crew members. The survivor, Karri Chinna, who owns and operates the boat, managed to reach a merchant vessel whose crew rescued him and alerted authorities.

Chinna swam through waves as high as four metres after the boat capsized, eventually spotting the lights of MV Universe Wealthy, a Panama-flagged merchant vessel. He shouted for help and was pulled aboard by the crew. A Navy helicopter later airlifted him from the vessel and transported him to INS Dega in Visakhapatnam on Monday evening.

Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu confirmed that Chinna was moved to KIMS Icon Hospital in Gajuwaka for observation, where he was reported to be stable after medical examination. Visakhapatnam District Collector M Abhishikth Kishore described the reunion between Chinna and his family at the hospital as emotional. He noted that the missing fishermen are all relatives of Chinna, including his elder brother, nephews, and cousins.

According to officials, Chinna told rescuers that after the boat drifted for some time, it began taking on water and eventually capsized. The six other fishermen initially stayed with the boat before abandoning it. They began swimming towards what they believed was the shore after spotting the lights of a ship. During the swim, Chinna became separated from the others and later reached the merchant vessel while the others were lost.

The fishing boat had left Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on July 1 and reportedly developed a mechanical failure off the Gannavaram coast. Adverse weather, including strong winds and high waves, caused the boat to drift before it started taking in water. Officials said the search operation is being hampered by waves up to four metres high and wind speeds of around 50 knots.

The search for the missing fishermen is being conducted by two Coast Guard ships, two Navy ships, a Dornier aircraft, and helicopters. Electronic surveillance is also being maintained through the Coast Guard’s Regional Operations Station in Visakhapatnam. Gopinath Jetti, Inspector General of Police (Visakhapatnam Range) and in-charge of Coastal Security, stated that search operations will continue until the six missing fishermen are located, and that authorities are in constant communication with the affected families.

In a separate incident, 20 fishermen aboard another mechanised fishing boat were rescued after their vessel developed engine trouble in rough weather. The Coastal Security Police, Indian Coast Guard, and Odisha Marine Police jointly located the stranded boat, transferred all 20 fishermen to another fishing vessel, and began towing the disabled boat towards the Odisha coast with Coast Guard assistance. Arrangements are being made to bring the fishermen safely back to Visakhapatnam.