Taiwanese fishing vessel runs aground: crew airlifted to Kavratti

Kochi, July 16 (UNI) A Taiwanese fishing ship ran aground a reef near an uninhabited island of Lakshadweep early today and all 33 crew members were airlifted to Kavratti by Naval rescuers in the evening.

Kavratti Port Officer A Hamza told UNI that all 33 crewmembers were in good health and had not suffered any injuries. They had managed to swim to the uninhabited Suhaili Island, some 40 nautical miles south of Kavratti, after their ship Isabella III ran aground a reef at about 0200 hrs.

He said the sea was fairly turbulent due to the monsoon winds although there was no rain in the area at that time.

The crew members, only one of whom can speak English, had been lodged in government accommodation and all legal formalities would be initiated tomorrow.

All 33 crew members were airlifted to Kavratti by a Naval Seaking helicopter.

As per initial reports, the ship, which was en route to Singapore from Oman, had entered the Indian waters illegally. Mr Hamza said that the ship was fairly big, measuring almost 40 meters in length.

A Coast Guard ship was heading towards the Suhaili Island and would try to pull back the Taiwanese ship, which had tilted almost 45 degrees after running aground the reef.

Helicopters of the Navy, Coast Guard and the Lakshadweep Administration took part in the search and rescue operation.

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