In two back-to-back maritime mishaps, two fishing trawlers capsized in the Bay of Bengal amid stormy weather conditions late on Saturday. Remarkably, all 29 fishermen aboard both vessels were rescued, averting what could have been a devastating tragedy.
The first incident occurred Saturday night, involving a trawler named ‘FB Shakila’, which had departed from Ten Mile Ghat in Namkhana. While fishing approximately 35 kilometers off Jambu Island, a crack developed in the bottom of the trawler, causing seawater to gush in. Battling fierce winds and high waves, the 13 fishermen on board feared the worst as the vessel began to sink.
Their desperate cries for help were heard by crews on nearby trawlers, who responded swiftly. Thanks to prompt action, all 13 fishermen were rescued and are now being brought back safely to Namkhana.
“The sea was so rough that the bottom of the trawler burst,” said Bijan Maiti, assistant secretary of the West Bengal United Fishermen Association. Relieved families expressed immense gratitude after hearing the news of their loved ones’ survival.
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On the same day, another trawler, ‘FB Maa Durga’, met a similar fate near Kendo Island, while attempting to catch hilsa. This vessel also sustained a rupture in its base, resulting in water flooding the lower compartments. The 16 fishermen on board faced panic as the trawler started to sink.
Once again, nearby trawlers rushed to the scene and managed to rescue all 16 fishermen. They are now en route to Patharpratima Ghat, according to Satinath Patra, a leader of the local fishermen’s association. “This trawler had left Namkhana on Friday. Thankfully, there were no casualties,” he confirmed.
The India Meteorological Department had earlier issued an alert warning of rough seas and advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the Bay of Bengal. However, the warnings went unheeded, leading to these two life-threatening incidents.
Authorities have reiterated the importance of adhering to weather advisories and safety protocols to prevent such close calls in the future.
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