Coast Guard saves 13 TN fishermen

Thirteen fishermen from Tamil Nadu drifting in high sea with a defective engine, 200 nautical miles from New Mangalore Port, were rescued by Indian Coast guard on Monday night, Commander of Coast Guard S S Dasila has said.

The drifting fishing boat 'Luminous' was first noticed by Coast Guard Dornier during its routine patrol on Sunday. The coast guard swung into act and diverted its off-shore partol vessel Vikram to rescue the fishermen.

When all efforts to revive the engine failed, the fishing boat, owned by one Cleetus, was towed to the nearest Bitra Island, located 100 nautical miles from New Mangalore Port, sources said.