Sri Lankan Authorities Launch Rescue Operations: 3 Sri Lankan Multi-day Vessels in Distress At Sea

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Director General of the Department of Fisheries, Susantha Kahawatte, says that efforts are underway to tow back to shore, three Sri Lankan multi-day fishing vessels that are in distress at sea.

The Director General explained that another trawler owned by the same operator set sail on May 14 to tow a vessel that was drifting near Indonesian waters, due to a technical failure. He noted that the rescue vessel is expected to reach the stranded trawler within a day.

Furthermore, the Director General mentioned that another vessel, which had been abandoned at sea after facing distress, was rescued by a different fishing vessel. 

It has been confirmed that the rescued fishermen continue to staying on that vessel and are engaging in their fishing activities currently.

The Department of Fisheries also stated that a third trawler, which had suffered a technical fault, is currently being towed toward the Galle Harbour and is positioned about 120 nautical miles off Galle.

Commenting further on fishing vessels facing accidents at sea, Fisheries Director General Susantha Kahawatte emphasized that retrieving vessels that face distress in international waters is extremely costly and time-consuming.

Consequently, he urges all vessel owners to ensure and verify the technical soundness of their boats before setting out for fishing.

The Director General added that deploying only properly repaired and well-maintained vessels for operations would minimize potential disasters, thereby safeguarding the lives of the fishermen as well as the property of the boat owners.