Mangalore: Fishing Boat Catches Fire at Sea – Fishermen Rescued 
Daijiworld Media Network- Mangalore (RS/SP)
 
Mangalore, Nov 27:  A fishing boat caught fire while it was still in the sea near Alive Kodi, located a little away from Hejamadi Kodi, on Friday November 27. All the 21 fishermen on board were rescued in a successful operation launched by the residents of Hejamadi Kodi and Sasihitlu areas. 
 
The boat, bearing the name, ‘Balu Prasad’, caught fire due to technical problems in its engine. At the time, the boat had 21 fishermen in it. The boat, which had ventured into the sea early morning today, was returning after taking part in fishing activity. The boat was owned by Shashi Mendon, a native of Bengre, Mangalore.

 
The fishing boat caught fire due to shortcircuit in the battery cable of the boat engine. At first, smoke was found to be billowing from inside the engine and later, fire spread over to the entire boat in a rapid force, according to a fisherman who was in the boat at the time.
 
The local people saw the boat at sea having been covered with thick smoke, and managed to take four boats near to the boat in distress. The fishermen then jumped from the burning boat to the boats brought for their rescue, and saved their lives. A team of life guards from Panambur also arrived on the spot to join in the rescue operation.
 
The owner has estimated the loss to be around Rs one crore, as all the major parts of the boat have been burnt down in the incident.