The Indian Coast Guard rescued six sailors from a sinking cargo boat named MSV SALAMATH off the coast of Mangalore on May 14.
The boat had left Mangalore Port on May 12 and was headed to Kadmat Island in Lakshadweep. In the early morning of May 14, it started filling with water and eventually sank. The boat was carrying cement and other construction materials. The reason for the flooding is still not known.
At around 12:15 PM on May 14, the Coast Guard received a message from a passing ship, MT Epic Susui. The ship had seen a small boat with six people drifting about 52 nautical miles from Surathkal, Karnataka.
The Coast Guard ship Vikram, which was nearby on patrol, was sent to help. The team quickly found the six men in the dinghy and brought them safely on board.
The rescued sailors were: Mr. Ismail Shareef, Mr. Alemun Ahmed Bhai Ghavda, Mr. Kakal Suleman Ismail, Mr. Akbar Abdul Surani, Mr. Kasam Ismail Mepani, and Mr. Azmal. They had escaped from their sinking boat in a small dinghy before being spotted.
After the rescue, they were given first aid and taken to New Mangalore Port, where they arrived on May 15. Authorities will speak to them further to find out exactly what happened.
The Indian Coast Guard said it remains committed to saving lives at sea and keeping the region safe.
