Mumbai, Feb 28: A major rescue operation involving multiple agencies saved 18 fishermen after a fire broke out on their trawler near the Alibag coast in Maharashtra's Raigad district in the early hours of Friday. The incident, which occurred approximately seven nautical miles from the Akshi coast, also left 14 fishermen with burn injuries, officials said.
According to a senior police official, the fire erupted around 4 a.m. due to a suspected engine snag. It is believed that oil accumulated in the silencer, triggering the blaze. The trawler, owned by Rakesh Gan, had been at sea for 14 days on a fishing expedition and was returning to Sakhar village when the incident occurred.
Upon receiving a distress alert, the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Raigad police swiftly launched a rescue mission. The Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Savitribai Phule, which was patrolling the Maharashtra coast, noticed thick smoke at around 6:35 a.m. and rushed to the scene.
By 7:15 a.m., the Coast Guard reached the site and found the trawler, Ekvira Mauli, engulfed in flames. In a rapid response, 14 injured fishermen were shifted to another fishing boat, Dhana Laxmi, where they received medical aid and were reassured of their safety. The Coast Guard personnel battled the fire for nearly two hours before successfully extinguishing it.
To prevent further damage, the ship also assisted in stabilizing the distressed trawler by pumping out water and towing it to the nearest harbor. At around 9:55 a.m., the vessel Kalamba Mauli began towing the burned trawler toward Alibag harbor, escorted by another fishing boat, Kalyani.
The Indian Coast Guard hailed the operation as a testament to their commitment to maritime safety, emphasizing their role in saving lives at sea.
Meanwhile, trawler owner Rakesh Gan and his family lamented the extensive damage to their vessel. "We received a call around 4 a.m. and rushed to the coast along with villagers. Though there were efforts to control the fire, nearly 99% of the boat was destroyed," said one of Gan’s siblings.
Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the fire while ensuring that the rescued fishermen receive necessary medical attention.