Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Feb 11: The government at the Centre responded positively to a letter written by MLA Raghupathi Bhat to the prime minister on December 12, regarding missing fishing boat ‘Suvarna Tribhuja’.

The government at New Delhi had requested Indian Navy and State government of Karnataka on January 10 to launch extensive search operations to trace the fishermen and the missing boat. It has also asked the state governments of Maharashtra, Goa and Kerala on January 16 to intensify search operations.

Indian Coast Guard in their report stated that their boats Amal and Apoorva started search in Karnataka and Goa coast. Coast Guard Dornier aircraft was also tasked to carry out sea to air coordinated searches. Interceptor boat C-420 and helicopter were deployed for close coast searches. Fishing boats operating in probable areas were also interrogated of having sighted the fishing boat.

Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Mumbai initiated NAVTEX alert messages for transiting merchant vessel on Dec 24, to lookout for the missing fishing boat. Alert messages through International Safety Net were also broadcast by MRCC Mumbai to lookout for the missing boat ‘Suvarna Tribhuja’.