The Indian Navy has deployed one of its vessels to assist in the search for the crews of two fishing boats that went missing off the coast of Kerala state over the weekend.
The Car Nicobar-class fast attack craft INS Kalpeni was initially deployed at short notice following a request for assistance to locate missing fishermen off Neendakara on the night (local time) of Saturday, August 8.
Kalpeni reached the area by first light on Monday, August 9, with a naval diving team embarked. The team undertook extensive underwater search operations in close coordination with the Marine Enforcement Wing and Coastal Police of Kerala.
Equipped with specialised diving equipment, the team conducted sustained dives in the identified areas. However, rough sea conditions and strong underwater currents posed challenges to the search efforts.
Additional resources, including local fishermen and other agencies, also joined the coordinated search operations.
Kalpeni was subsequently diverted off Muthalappozhi Harbour in Vizhinjam to assist in another search operation for missing fishermen. Limited diving operations were undertaken due to heavy swell and adverse weather conditions.
Diving operations off Neendakara were scheduled to resume on Monday, August 10. The navy said close coordination is being maintained with the concerned authorities to augment the ongoing search operations.
