Six fishermen missing after boat capsizes off Visakhapatnam coast; lone survivor recounts ordeal
A large-scale search operation involving the Indian Coast Guard and the Indian Navy continued on Monday for six fishermen who went missing after a mechanised fishing boat capsized in rough seas off the Visakhapatnam coast. One fisherman, who survived after spending several hours adrift at sea, was rescued by a passing merchant vessel.
The boat had sailed from the Visakhapatnam Fishing Harbour on July 1 for a routine fishing expedition and was expected to return by the afternoon of July 4. According to officials, the crew last contacted their families around 2 pm on July 4, informing them that they were off the Gangavaram coast and heading back to shore. Soon afterwards, the weather deteriorated rapidly.
The seven-member crew comprised boat owner and driver Kari Chinna, along with Amara Appalaraju, Kari Garagayya, Kari Chinnaya, Kari Seethodu, Raguthu Bandiyya, and Meda Chinna Ammoru. While Kari Chinna survived, the remaining six fishermen are yet to be traced. Most of the crew are from Mukkam village in Bhogapuram mandal, while Raguthu Bandiyya is from Peda Nagamayya Palem in Bheemunipatnam mandal of Visakhapatnam district.
Speaking after his rescue, Kari Chinna said the crew had almost completed their return journey when the sea suddenly turned rough.
“We had spoken to our families around 2 pm and told them we would reach the harbour by 3 pm. Within an hour, strong monsoon winds picked up, the waves grew dangerously high, and the engine stopped working. We were about 10 to 12 nautical miles off the Gangavaram coast,” he said.
According to him, the disabled vessel was battered by successive waves before it began taking on water.
“The waves were enormous. Once the boat started sinking, we had no option but to jump into the sea. We tried to stay together, but the currents were too strong,” he said.
Kari Chinna said the crew later spotted the lights of a cargo ship in the distance.
“Three of my fellow fishermen tried to swim towards the ship, hoping they would be seen. But the waves and strong currents swept them away. That was the last time I saw them,” he said.
He remained afloat throughout the night before being spotted on the morning of July 5 by the Panama-flagged merchant vessel MV Universe Wealthy, which rescued him. He was later transferred to an Indian Coast Guard vessel and brought safely ashore.
Officials said the search operation has been intensified despite adverse weather conditions. The Indian Coast Guard has deployed patrol vessels, including ICGS Kanaklata Barua and ICGS Veera, while the Indian Navy is carrying out aerial surveillance through helicopter sorties.
Inspector General of Police (Visakhapatnam Range) Gopinath Jatti, who is overseeing the coastal security operation from the Regional Operations Station in Visakhapatnam, said search teams were continuing electronic surveillance and surface patrols across the designated search area.
“Despite adverse weather conditions, electronic surveillance and surface search operations are continuing with all available resources,” he said.
Officials attributed the accident to the sudden deterioration in sea conditions caused by a low-pressure system over the Bay of Bengal. The Fisheries Department had earlier issued advisories warning fishermen against venturing into deep waters. However, several boats that were already at sea encountered rough weather while returning to the coast.
As the search entered its second day on Monday, authorities said rescue efforts would continue until all the missing fishermen were traced. Local officials and community leaders are also extending support to the families awaiting news of their missing relatives.