Coast Guard apprehends foreign vessel off Great Nicobar

Port Blair, Nov 11 (UNI) The Indian Coast Guard (CG) has apprehended a foreign fishing vessel off Great Nicobar Island, south of Indira point, in a joint operation with the Police and Director of Shipping Services (DSS) of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

CG Public Relations Officer Commandant Akshay Jain told UNI here today, ''The Assistant Commissioner and Captain of the DSS ship sighted the foreign fishing vessel off Kasin Tooth on the western side of Great Nicobar Islands and it was apprehended in a joint operation.'' The Campbell Bay Deputy Superintendent of Police promptly reported to the CG, following which, the CG pressed into action a Dornier aircraft from Port Blair.

Simultaneously, a joint boarding party, along with armed CG and Police personnel, left the Campbell Bay. On being detected by the CG Dornier, the intruding fishing vessel tried to evade apprehension.

However, despite rough seas and rainy weather, the boarding team and crew, after four hours of hot chase, succeeded in intercepting the fleeing vessel off Indira Point, the CG commandant added.

The poachers included 19 Myanmarese and two Thai nationals.

The apprehended fishing vessel, of Thai origin, is a sophisticated 20 metres-long craft, fitted with modern navigational aids, including radar, echo sounder and raido sets.

It is the second such vessel apprehended by the CG this year, Mr Jain added.

UNI