Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 9 (PTI) The search operation involving the Indian Navy for three fishermen who went missing following separate boat mishaps off the Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram coasts will continue on Monday, the Defence spokesperson said.
On Sunday, Indian Navy divers joined search operations by the Coast Police, Coast Guard and Marine Enforcement Wing of the Fisheries Department for the three fishermen who went missing after boat mishaps at Neendakara in Kollam and Muthalappozhi and Vizhinjam in Thiruvananthapuram.
INS Kalpeni sailed from Kochi on Saturday night to join the search operation, the Defence spokesperson said in a statement.
The vessel anchored one nautical mile off Neendakara on Sunday morning, the statement said.
“A specialised Indian Navy diving team is onboard the ship. Marine Enforcement Wing was contacted for further localisation of the diving position. A Marine Enforcement boat is maintaining its presence in the vicinity of the ship,” the statement said.
The search involving Navy divers began around 10 am from INS Kalpeni, officials said.
The divers were using portable SONAR, which enhances their capability for underwater surveillance and diving operations, the Defence spokesperson said.
The Navy initially focused its search on Gautam Krishna, who went missing after a fishing boat capsized off the Neendakara coast.
Later in the evening, INS Kalpeni moved to Muthalappozhi harbour to continue the search.
“The ship is planning to be anchored near Neendakara this evening. Nighttime diving activities are not permitted due to limited visibility. Operations will commence on Monday at daybreak,” the Defence spokesperson said.
The search operation by the Coast Police, Marine Enforcement Wing and Coast Guard entered its 10th day on Sunday for Gautam Krishna, John and Shijin, who went missing in separate fishing boat mishaps at Neendakara, Vizhinjam and Muthalappozhi, respectively, on July 31.
Family members of the missing fishermen had earlier protested, alleging lapses in the search operation, prompting the state government to seek the Indian Navy’s assistance.
Opposition parties criticised the state government, alleging a slow response from the authorities in tracing the missing fishermen.
Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Sunday said he would continue efforts to trace Gautam Krishna, who went missing after a fishing boat capsized off Neendakara.
In a Facebook post, Gopi said Krishna’s mother had appealed to him to consider her his own sister and stand by her in the search for her son.
Recalling her emotional appeal, Gopi said, “A representative of the people, more than that, as a brother, this is the promise I gave that mother. This brother considers you his own sister and will be with you. I will go to any extent to bring that son back.” Gopi said the fishing boat capsized after being caught in strong waves and that the family was yet to recover from the shock of the tragedy.
He said he had been in constant contact with senior officials concerned and would not allow the search operation to slow down for any reason.
“All resources have now been mobilised to intensify the search in the sea,” he said.
Gopi said a vessel carrying Navy divers had resumed an emergency search operation at sea, and Coast Guard helicopters had intensified aerial surveillance.
He said Indian Oil was extending full support to the operation by ensuring an uninterrupted availability of fuel and other facilities.
An emergency helipad was also being prepared at Amritapuri with the cooperation of college authorities to facilitate the search operation, he said.
Gopi said he had complete faith that Gautam would return when the strength of the administration and collective prayers came together.
“I will stand by that mother until my last breath to wipe away her tears. I will not give up hope… We will fight,” he said.
Gautam’s mother, Reshma, thanked Gopi and said it was due to his intervention that the Indian Navy joined the search operation.
John’s family members alleged that they had faced cyberattacks after raising questions about the search operation.
They urged the authorities to take steps to ensure that fishermen could be rescued quickly in the event of accidents at sea.
“It is tense for families when fishermen go out to sea. The situation must change,” John’s family members said. PTI TBA SSK
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