News by Gurmehar Kaur
New Delhi, Jul 31: INS (Indian Naval Ship) Airavat was returning from Jakarta after a delivery of
Covid relief supplies when it received a distress call from a fishing vessel around 11 pm on July
30th.
The vessel – Salteth Matha II – had been drifting off the coast of Carnicobar Island (Andaman and
Nicobar Islands) since the morning of 29th July due to a major flaw in the gearbox. There were 7
crew members on board.
After receiving the distress call, INA Airavat immediately speeded to the vessel to help them. The
heavy winds and rain did not make it easy to put up the towing arrangements. INS Airavat was
eventually successful.
The fishing boat is now being taken to the nearest harbour.