The Sri Lanka Navy swiftly responded to a distress call on Tuesday (July 11) to rescue a fisherman who had suffered burn injuries in a harrowing accident on a local fishing trawler. The incident occurred approximately 431 nautical miles (about 798 kilometers) off the coast of Galle, a city in the southwestern part of the island.
The fishing trawler, named 'Sachintha Putha,' had embarked on its journey from Negombo harbor on June 22, carrying a crew of five. During its voyage, the trawler collided with a foreign vessel in the high seas southwest of Sri Lanka. As a result of the collision, one of the fishermen aboard the local boat sustained burn injuries when the foreign vessel attacked them.
The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources promptly notified the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, situated at the Navy Headquarters, about the unfortunate situation. Acting on the instructions of Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the naval personnel took immediate action to bring the injured fisherman to safety. The MRCC Colombo relayed the information to the Bulk Carrier 'SPAR MIRA,' which was sailing in the same vicinity, and requested their assistance in rescuing the wounded fisherman.
The Bulk Carrier 'SPAR MIRA' responded swiftly to the MRCC Colombo's call and successfully retrieved the injured fisherman from the stricken trawler. The ship altered its original course towards Singapore and traveled approximately 400 nautical miles to the southern sea area of Sri Lanka by evening.
Upon reaching the designated location, a Fast Attack Craft from the Southern Naval Command facilitated the transfer of the fishermen brought by the 'SPAR MIRA.' The the injured fisherman was immediately rushed to the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle for further medical attention.