Mystery vessel creates panic at Marina Beach

Tension and confusion prevailed here after a mysterious fishing vessel was spotted at the Marina beach on Friday morning.

People and administrative officers gathered at the beach to have a close look at the vessel, which brought back memories of Prathibha Cauvery, an oil tanker that had run aground following a cyclone at the same place in 2012.

The vessel had put the administration in a spot of bother. Policemen on escort duty near Marina beach could not explain how the vessel reached there and called up senior officials.
The spot was cordoned off the area and an investigation was started to ascertain whether the boat was involved in any illegal activity or it had ferried intruders from the neighbouring Sri Lanka.

Police sources later confirmed that the boat was owned by a fisherman from Kasimedu Fishing Harbour in the city and it had developed a technical snag, while returning after fishing from Puducherry.

The confirmation eased the tension.
The crew members had left the boat to inform its owner about the problem and it had created a panic among the local people, who visit the beach for morning outings.