Coast Guard rescues 6 fishermen, repairs sinking boat

Chennai, Oct 8 (IANS) The Indian Coast Guard said it has rescued six fishermen and their sinking boat.In a statement issued here, the Coast Guard said its ship ICGS Vaibhav received a distress call from a fishing boat with six crew on board.The fishing boat's engine room was flooded due to a broken keel.The boat was 48 nautical miles south east of Manappad in Tamil Nadu.According to the Coast Guard, its personnel operated the portable submersible pumps and commenced de-flooding. Then the team undertook repairs using quick drying cement/oakum and wooden wedges.After stopping the sea water ingress and completion of repairs, the boat was directed to proceed to Tharuvaikulam Fishing Harbour in Tuticorin District.The fishing boat and the crew safely entered Tharuvaikulam fishing harbour at 3 a.m. on Thursday.
--IANS vj/sdr/bg