A fishing vessel collided with an Indian Navy submarine off the Goa coast, leaving two fishermen missing. A large-scale rescue operation is underway with Navy and Coast Guard assets deployed to locate the missing crew members.
Indian Navy Submarine Collides with Fishing Vessel Off Goa, Two Fishermen Still Missing
In a dramatic and tragic turn of events, an Indian Navy submarine collided with a fishing vessel off the coast of Goa, leaving two fishermen missing and prompting a large-scale rescue operation by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The incident occurred on November 21, 2024, about 70 nautical miles northwest of Goa, raising serious concerns over the safety of maritime activities in the region.
Collision Details and Immediate Rescue Operations
The fishing vessel, named Marthoma, had a crew of 13 fishermen on board at the time of the collision. According to an Indian Navy spokesperson, the vessel collided with an Indian naval unit in the evening, sparking immediate rescue operations. Eleven crew members were successfully rescued, but two fishermen remain missing.
Following the collision, the Indian Navy initiated an urgent search and rescue mission, which is currently ongoing and being coordinated with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai. In addition to the Navy’s assets, Coast Guard teams have been mobilized to assist in the search and recovery operation.
Navy Deploys Resources for Search and Rescue
To aid in the search for the missing fishermen, the Indian Navy has deployed six ships along with an unspecified number of surveillance aircraft. These assets are being used to comb the vast stretch of water where the collision occurred, and the Navy has also redirected additional resources from the Coast Guard to intensify the search effort.
As of now, the two missing fishermen have not been located, and the search mission is continuing as officials remain hopeful of a positive outcome.
The Investigation and High-Level Probe
The incident has prompted the Navy to order a high-level investigation into the collision. While the exact cause of the crash is still unclear, the Navy has assured the public that a thorough inquiry will be conducted to determine the sequence of events that led to the mishap. This will include reviewing both the actions of the Indian Navy submarine as well as the fishing vessel Marthoma.
The Navy has also indicated that any failures or lapses in protocol will be thoroughly addressed as part of the investigation process.
Ongoing Rescue Efforts and Public Concerns
As the rescue mission continues, there has been an outpouring of support for the families of the missing fishermen. The collision, which took place in the evening, has raised concerns about visibility and communication between military vessels and civilian boats in such busy maritime routes.
The Goa coast is known for its vibrant fishing industry, and accidents like these have led to calls for better safety measures, improved communication systems, and more rigorous enforcement of maritime laws.
