Overview
The Ministry of Defence reported that on 29 June 2026 the Indian Coast Guard rescued six fishermen from the distressed IFB “Manju Matha” off the coast of Mangaluru. The operation was carried out under severe weather conditions, demonstrating the capability of the Coast Guard’s SAR framework.
Key Developments
- At about 1600 hrs, ICGS Sachet received a VHF RT distress call from a fishing boat 33 nautical miles off the Suratkal coast reporting hull damage and flooding.
- The crew diverted the ship, reached the vessel despite rough seas, strong winds and poor visibility.
- Using remote‑operated lifebuoys, the ICG team safely recovered all six crew members by 1800 hrs.
- The rescued fishermen were taken to New Mangalore for disembarkation and medical check‑up.
Important Facts
- Distance from shore: 33 nautical miles (≈61 km).
- Weather: high waves, strong winds, low visibility.
- Rescue time: 2 hours from distress call to completion.
- All six crew members survived without injury.
Exam Relevance
The incident highlights several topics that appear in the UPSC syllabus:
- Maritime security and the role of the ICG in safeguarding India’s coastline (GS2: Polity, GS4: Disaster Management).
- Implementation of the SAR system, a key component of national disaster response mechanisms.
- Use of modern rescue technology such as remote‑operated lifebuoys, reflecting the importance of technology adoption in public safety.
- Coastal fisheries management and the economic importance of the fishing sector (GS3: Economy).
Way Forward
- Strengthen coastal surveillance and early warning systems to reduce response time.
- Upgrade rescue equipment across all ICG vessels, especially for operations in extreme weather.
- Conduct regular joint drills with state marine police and fisherfolk associations to improve coordination.
- Promote awareness among fishermen about distress communication protocols like VHF RT usage.