An Indian Navy submarine collided with a fishing vessel approximately 70 nautical miles off the coast of Goa late Thursday evening, leading to the initiation of a significant rescue operation to locate two missing crew members of the fishing vessel.
The fishing vessel, identified as Marthoma, was carrying a total of 13 crew members at the time of the incident. As of now, 11 crew members have been successfully rescued, while efforts continue to find the remaining two individuals.
In response to the collision, the Indian Navy has deployed six ships and several surveillance aircraft to the scene as part of the ongoing rescue mission. An official spokesperson for the Navy confirmed the details, stating, “An Indian fishing vessel Marthoma with a crew of 13 reportedly collided with an Indian Naval unit on November 21 about 70 nm Northwest of Goa.”
Immediate search and rescue operations were launched, illustrating the Navy’s swift reaction to the incident. The rescue efforts are being coordinated with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai, ensuring a comprehensive response to the situation. Additionally, the Navy has ordered a high-level investigation into the circumstances surrounding the collision.
To bolster the search operations, additional assets, including support from the Coast Guard, have been redirected to the impacted area. The collision involved the Navy’s Scorpene-class submarine, a versatile asset capable of performing a variety of missions such as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance.
As investigations are ongoing, the Navy has not disclosed further details regarding the specific circumstances of the collision or the condition of the rescued crew members. This incident recalls a similar occurrence in August, when a fishing boat collided with a Sri Lankan naval vessel off the coast of Tamil Nadu, resulting in the tragic drowning of a fisherman. The latest collision underscores the continuing dangers at sea and the importance of maritime safety for both military and civilian vessels.
