Coast Guard rescues eight fishermen

Odisha Channel Bureau Paradip: Coast Guard rescuers today recued as many as eight fishermen who were in a severely disabled fishing boat in the Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast since yesterday.Fishing boat `Laila’ had become non-operational due to engine failure and was drifting seawards, according to Coast Guard sources.After the Coast Guard received information at 9.30 pm on Saturday about Laila was disabled at sea 20 nm south east of Paradip while carrying out fishing, they sailed ICGS C-426, a fast speed ship based at Paradip render necessary assistance to the distressed boat.The Coast Guard personnel on the ship sighted the distressed boat at 8 am on Sunday.Concerted efforts to provide technical support were futile in view of the rough sea conditions coupled with heavy swells.Finally two ropes were passed and the ship along with the distressed boat and crew shaped sources for Paradip.The ship towed the disabled boat to Paradip and arrived off Mahanadi river mouth near Nehru Bungalow fishery harbour at 3.30 pm.All eight crew of the fishing boat were safe and provided with food and other assistance by the Coast Guard.