INS Airavat Tows Fishing Vessel

INS Airavat received a distress call from fishing vessel Saleth Matha II off Carnicobar, Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 30 July.

The ship was transiting through the area while returning from Jakarta, after completing a delivery of Covid-19 relief material as part of Ops Samudra Setu II. Airavat immediately proceeded towards the FV at maximum speed to render assistance.

The Port Blair-based fishing boat which is of 20 metres in length and seven crew had been drifting off Carnicobar requesting for assistance on MMB channel 16 due to major defect in gear box since early morning on 29 July. Gusting winds more than 25 knots, swell up to 3.5 meters and intermittent rains because of active Southwest monsoon in the region made connecting the towing arrangements an extremely difficult task. INS Airavat is presently towing FV to the nearest harbour for further assistance.