Coast Guard rescues 17 crew members

Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, Aug 11 (UNI) The Coast Guard (CG) rescued all 17 crew members of M V Skipper III, a fishing research vessel, which developed technical problems midsea, 150 miles South East of Visakhapatnam, with water flooding the engine room.

Following receipt of distress signal yesterday morning, CG's 'Varad' rushed to the spot and rescued the crew after a five-hour ordeal with heavy winds hampering the mission.

Coast Guard Visakhapatnam Region DIG G P Raj told UNI over phone all the crew members were brought to Visakhapatnam on 'Varad.' The ill-fated vessel was abandoned as it was not poosible to tow it.

However, another CG ship 'VIVEK' was sent to the spot this morning to explore the possibilities of retrieiving some equipment from the fishing vessel.

The vessel belonged to CIFNET and was en route to Cochin. It sailed from Visakhapatnam Port on August 9 and was caught in cyclonic weather.

UNI XR/BR SB KP1234