Mangalore: Indian Coast Guard Ship Vikram based in New Mangalore on Wednesday helped rescue fishermen on board fishing boat St Anthony that was facing distress about 92 nautical miles from Kochi due to engine failure.

The message was received from Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre from Mumbai around 10.30 am on May 30 and it was relayed to ICGS Vikram that was out on patrol.

The ship reached the position of distressed fishing boat at 5.15 pm and its technical team along with tools and medical aids reached the fishing boat to rectify the defect. 

Since the engine defect could not be rectified at sea, the ship took the fishing boat under tow to Kochi, DIG SS Dasila, commander, Coast Guard Karnataka, said.

After towing the boat for around 57 nautical miles, the Coast Guard handed over the boat to another fishing boat Jasmine at 7.45 am on May 31, some 35 nautical miles from Kochi for onward passage to Kochi port. Thereafter, the ship resumed patrol in the designated area, Dasila said.