Udupi: Boat Capsizes off Malpe Coast, Five Fishermen Rescued

Hemanath Padubidri
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Dec 30: Five fishermen had a miraculous escape after their boat capsized off the Malpe coast in the wee hours of Sunday December 30.

The rescued fishermen have been identified as Venkatesh Ramachandra Mogera (23) of Bailoor, who was steering the boat, Vasant Appu Mogera (35) of Bailoor, Ganapati Mahadeva Ambiga (26) of Gerusoppa in Honnavar, Suresh Babu Mogera (27) and Ganapati Somayya Mogera (33) of Murdeshwar.

The five of them had ventured into the sea for fishing from Malpe port on the midnight of Saturday December 29, on their boat 'Priya Chetana'.

At around 1 am, the boat's steering lock accidently broke when it was about 9 nautical miles off the coast. The boat drifted off in the heavy winds and hit against boulders, and was damaged.

The incident came to light on Sunday December 30, after which boat owner Sunil Kumar Kotian of Padukere, Malpe lodged a complaint with the Malpe coastal security police (CSP).

The CSP police led by P M Diwakar swung into action and with the help of rescue boats reached out to the stranded fishermen and brought all five of them to safety. The fishermen were then shifted to Udupi government hospital. All five are said to be fit.

Their boat was completely damaged in the incident. Arrangements are being made to bring the boat back to Malpe port.