Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Dec 14: A fishing trawl boat named Mashrik, which had ventured into deep sea for fishing, was gutted by fire, boat owner Fatima Shafa has complained to the Mangaluru coastal security police station and the deputy director of the fisheries department.

The boat had set out from Mangaluru harbour at 4.30 am on December 10 with seven fishermen on board. At around 6.15 pm the same day, while fishing about 12 nautical miles off the Mangaluru coast, the fishermen noticed flames suddenly erupting from the engine room of the boat. Though attempts were made to douse the fire, they were unsuccessful.

The crew then sought help from a nearby fishing boat named Mizan, which was operating in the same area. The fishermen were shifted safely to the assisting boat and escaped unhurt. However, the trawl boat was completely engulfed in flames and destroyed.

The incident is said to have occurred in the deep sea between Surathkal and Kaup, resulting in an estimated loss of about Rs 1 crore, the complaint stated.