February 28th 2025.
In the early hours of Friday, a fire broke out on board a trawler near the coast of Alibag in Maharashtra's Raigad district, putting the lives of 18 fishermen in danger. Fortunately, a multi-agency operation was quickly launched to rescue them.
According to a senior police official, the blaze started around 4 am when the trawler was about 7 nautical miles from the Akshi coast in Alibag. The trawler, owned by a man named Rakesh Gan, sent out a distress alert and the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and Raigad police immediately rushed to the spot to start the rescue operation.
Thankfully, all 18 fishermen on board were safely brought to the coast. However, it was reported that 14 of them had suffered burn injuries and were treated by the Indian Coast Guard. It is suspected that the fire was caused by a malfunction in the trawler's engine, which resulted in oil collecting in the silencer and igniting the flames.
The trawler had been out at sea for 14 days, fishing, and was on its way back to Sakhar village in the coastal district when the incident occurred. The Indian Coast Guard released a statement in Mumbai, stating that one of their ships on patrol, Savitribai Phule, had spotted thick smoke on the horizon at around 6:35 am.
Upon reaching the spot, the ship found that the trawler, named Ekvira Maul, was engulfed in flames. The Coast Guard immediately took action, assisting in transferring the fishermen to another trawler, Dhana Laxmi, and providing them with medical aid. It was reported that the fire originated in the trawler's engine room.
Meanwhile, the ICGS Savitribai Phule worked tirelessly to put out the fire, which took about two hours to completely extinguish. Afterward, they helped stabilize the damaged trawler by pumping out water and towing it to the nearest harbor with the help of two other trawlers, Kalamba Mauli and Kalyani.
The Indian Coast Guard's quick response and efficient efforts were praised in their statement, stating that they are dedicated to ensuring the safety of those at sea. Unfortunately, the trawler owners reported that their vessel had suffered extensive damage and was almost completely destroyed by the fire.
Rakesh Gan, who owns the trawler with his two siblings, received a call about the incident at 4 am. Villagers from Sakhar immediately rushed to the coast to help, but the fire had already caused significant damage. Despite their attempts to douse the flames, the trawler was left with 99% damage.
Thankfully, all the fishermen were rescued and received medical attention for their injuries. The incident serves as a reminder of the bravery and dedication of the Indian Coast Guard, who are always ready to risk their lives to save others at sea.
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