Four BARC project experts rescued after boat drifts off Anakapalli coast

Four contract technical experts engaged in a Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) project were rescued by the Andhra Pradesh Marine Police after their boat developed trouble and drifted off the Pudimadaka coast in Anakapalli district in the early hours of Thursday.

The rescued personnel were identified as Santosh Kumar Goud and Karmaraj Goud, both from Uttar Pradesh, Nityananda Tarafdar from West Bengal, and Dattaram Krushna Mahakal from Maharashtra.

Police officials said the four-member team was transporting specialised instruments by sea to carry out geotechnical and soil testing for a BARC infrastructure project. The organisation is constructing a jetty along the coastal stretch between Pudimadaka and Tantadi in Atchutapuram mandal.

The boat was left adrift after its tow and mooring ropes snapped at sea, stranding the experts and their equipment between Pudimadaka and Tantadi.

Marine Police Circle Inspector S. Simhadri Naidu said the control room received a distress call from the stranded team at around 1.45 a.m. Following the alert, the Marine Police coordinated with the Indian Navy, the Coast Guard, and local fishermen before dispatching a rescue boat to the spot.

“With the timely assistance of local fishermen, our team reached the stranded vessel and rescued all four members, who were about 150 metres off the Pudimadaka coast. The occupants were frightened as rough seas and high waves caused seawater to enter the boat while they remained inside,” Mr. Naidu said.

All four experts were brought ashore safely without injuries. The boat and the specialised equipment were also secured.

Mr. Naidu appreciated the role of the local fishermen, saying their prompt assistance and familiarity with the coastal waters played a crucial role in the successful rescue operation.