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MANGALURU: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in yet another successful Search and Rescue operation at sea has located the missing Tamil Nadu fishing boat Mercedes in a massive search operation launched on April 24 at a distance of about 1100 km (590 miles) from Goa.

The fishing boat had sailed for deep-sea fishing on April 6 with 11 crew onboard west of Kerala for a 30 days voyage from Thengapattnam Fishing harbour in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu Fisheries authorities on April 24 intimated regarding the sighting of debris by other fishing boats operating in the area presuming the fishing boat Mercedes to be sunk.

The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at Mumbai activated International Safety Net to alert merchant vessels transiting near the reported position to look out for the missing boat. Simultaneously, ICGS Samudra Prahari on Concurrent Deployment was diverted for search. MRCC (Mumbai) coordinated with merchant vessel Maersk Horsburgh to join the search operation along with fishing boats operating in the area. As the reported position was located in Pakistan Search and Rescue Region, MRCC Karachi was also requested for assistance as per IMO norms in vogue. Considering the distance from the mainland, the Indian Navy was requested for the launch of Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft. It was learnt that the fishing boat was not carrying AIS or any other transponder which could have assisted in the early locating of the boat by the search units.

After four days of continuous search amidst challenges of distance from the mainland and weather, the missing boat was located around 200 miles (around 370 kilometres) from Lakshadweep Islands. ICG Dornier located and corroborated the presence of the fishing boat on Wednesday. MRCC (Mumbai) established communication with the fishing boat on a satellite phone held by the boat and ascertained the crew to be safe. In the interim, information was also received from TN fisheries authorities that the crew of IFB Mercedes had called up home through satellite phone to indicate that they were safe. ICG ship on deployment off Lakshadweep was diverted to render logistic and medical assistance to the crew. The fishing boat is returning to its base port under the escort of the ICG ship and will reach around May 3.