Sri Lanka Navy Raises Sunken Fast Attack Craft After Dramatic Recovery Mission

COLOMBO (News1st): The Sri Lanka Navy has successfully recovered its Fast Attack Craft P 4447, bringing to a close a complex multi-stage emergency operation that involved search and rescue efforts, underwater recovery operations, and the coordinated expertise of multiple agencies.

The vessel, which encountered distress while on a routine patrol off Angulana on 15 August 2026, was successfully brought to the surface on 11 September from a depth of approximately 80 feet. Following the recovery, the craft was towed to the Colombo Dockyard premises.

The first phase of the operation focused on search and rescue efforts immediately after the incident. A joint operation involving the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Police, and local fishermen from Angulana resulted in the rescue of 11 crew members.

The search and rescue mission concluded with the recovery of the remains of the craft's Second-in-Command on 4 September, marking the end of an extensive effort to account for all personnel involved in the incident.

Following the completion of rescue operations, the Navy launched a dedicated salvage mission. Specialized Navy diving and recovery teams undertook the challenging task of raising the vessel despite rough sea conditions, limited underwater visibility, and demanding operational circumstances.

Working under strict safety procedures, the Navy's marine, hull, electrical, and electronic engineering teams employed specialized equipment and technical expertise to execute the recovery in carefully planned stages.

The successful salvage of Fast Attack Craft P 4447 has been hailed as a significant achievement for the Sri Lanka Navy, reflecting the professionalism, dedication, and technical capabilities of its divers, engineers, and recovery personnel.

The operation was further strengthened through technical assistance and specialized expertise provided by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Colombo Dockyard PLC, whose support contributed to the successful conclusion of one of the Navy's most challenging recent recovery missions.