Foreign vessel rams into fishing boat off Kollam coast

The mishap happened on Saturday in the international waters, around 40 nautical miles off the Kollam coast  The foreign vessel, Kathalia, sped away after colliding with fishing boat Velankanni  All six persons in the boat were rescued by fishermen of another boat and have now been brought back to the harbour

In what could have been another fatal accident, a foreign ship rammed into a fishing boat off the Kollam coast on Saturday.

The mishap happened around 12.30 pm in the international waters, around 40 nautical miles off the coast. The foreign vessel, Kathalia, sped away after colliding with fishing boat Velankanni. All six persons in the boat were rescued by fishermen of another boat and have now been brought back to the harbour.

Fisheries minister J Mercykutty Amma said that the help of the Indian Navy was sought to conduct rescue efforts. The authorities also informed that the coast guard has been asked to seize the ship.

In a similar incident, two fishermen were killed and 11 others injured when Panama cargo ship Amber L collided with fishing boat Carmel Matha off the Kochi coast back in June. 

Of the 14 crew members on board the boat, 11 were rescued. Two bodies were recovered, while a fisherman from Assam is still missing. The captain and two crew members of Amber L were later detained.