On July 11, 2022, the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Colombo organized the rescue of three local fishermen whose lives were in danger while aboard a stranded fishing vessel. The fishing boat was in rough seas about 174 nautical miles (322 kilometers) from the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse, southeast of Sri Lanka.
On July 2, 2022, the local fishing boat (Reg No. IMUL – A-0301 MTR), along with three fishermen, is said to have departed the Valaichchenai Fisheries Harbour on a fishing trip. The Navy Headquarters’ MRCC Colombo was informed that the ship was in distress on the high seas by the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.
MRCC Colombo found the fishing boat in trouble 174 nautical miles from the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse, southeast of Sri Lanka, after quickly responding to the distress call. The adjacent oil tanker MT-SHOGUN was then instructed by MRCC Colombo to help the struggling fishing vessel.
After reaching the distressed fishing vessel that was adrift dangerously in rough sea conditions, the tanker was able to rescue three fishermen whose lives were in danger from the distressed local fishing vessel this evening with the help of MRCC Colombo. MRCC Colombo is already making the necessary arrangements to transport the three fishermen to the harbor in Galle.
The MRCC Colombo, which was created in the Navy Headquarters, is working nonstop to aid the fishing and naval communities in need in Sri Lanka’s search and rescue area.