Indian trawler poaching in SL waters collides with navy vessel; one fisherman missing

A search operation is underway to locate an Indian fishermen reported missing after a fishing boat collided with a Sri Lanka Navy vessel and sank last evening (18). 

Two Indian fishermen who were onboard the sunken vessel were rescued by navy personnel. The vessel was part of a group of Indian fishing trawlers that had crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and were poaching in Sri Lankan waters northwest of the Kovilan Lighthouse, the navy stated. 

SLN units on patrol were engaged in chasing away Indian fishing trawlers back across the IMBL when one of the Indian fishing trawlers, with "aggressive manoeuvres" was on an attempt to evade from the scene and this made it collide with SLN Craft in operation, the SLN claimed. In the process it started sinking having lost its stability as well as due to the rough sea condition.

Springing quickly into action, the Navy managed to rescue two fishermen aboard the sunken fishing vessel soon after the unfortunate occurrence and has been engaging in a search and rescue operation since last evening to locate another fisherman who is said to be on the sunken fishing vessel.

The search and rescue operation is being augmented by a team of Navy divers, Fast Attack Craft and Inshore Patrol Craft. As one of the SLN Fast Attack Craft was damaged in the collision it has been brought to the Kankesanthurai harbour for repairs.

The incident has been informed to the Indian authorities by the Navy and further investigation into the incident is currently underway, the navy further said. 

Efforts to find the missing fisherman continued this morning as well but no trace of him has been found so far. The two rescued fishermen have been brought ashore and taken to the Kankesanthurai Navy Camp to undergo quarantine. 

By Romesh Madushanka