Another fisherman goes missing off Visakhapatnam coast

VISAKHAPATNAM: Against the backdrop of the continuing search for eight fishermen from Konaseema who have remained untraced at sea since August 7, another fisherman went missing off the Visakhapatnam coast after reportedly falling overboard from a fishing boat in the early hours of Thursday.

Key points

• The missing fisherman, Appanna (50), of Jalaripeta, was among an eight-member crew aboard mechanised fishing boat IND AP V 5 MM 877.
• According to authorities, the boat was returning to the Visakhapatnam jetty after completing its fishing trip when the incident occurred around 12.15 am, concerning 11 nautical miles off the coast.
• Abhishikth Kishore spoke to Coast Guard authorities and directed them to intensify the search and deploy further resources.
• When they reportedly stated they were heading towards the Odisha coast, nevertheless, their families lost contact with them after their last phone conversation on August 7.
• After which a Search and Rescue operation was rolled out, the boat owner's brother alerted the authorities.

Notably, the missing fisherman, Appanna (50), of Jalaripeta, was among an eight-member crew aboard mechanised fishing boat IND AP V 5 MM 877. It had set out from Visakhapatnam on August 16.

Appanna had gone to the rear of the boat to fetch salt applied for preserving fish when he apparently slipped and fell into the sea. The other crew members heard a splash and, on checking, discovered him missing.

After which a Search and Rescue operation was rolled out, the boat owner's brother alerted the authorities. While an Indian Navy boat afterwards joined the operation, a Coast Guard vessel and a private boat were deployed initially. The Coast Guard has additionally been asked to deploy a helicopter to widen the search, with the aircraft anticipated to join the operation.

District Collector M. Abhishikth Kishore spoke to Coast Guard authorities and directed them to intensify the search and deploy further resources. Visakhapatnam RDO Dileep Chakravarthy has been tasked to coordinate with the departments concerned and review the progress.

Ministers K Atchannaidu and V. Anitha have additionally spoken to the Collector and sought details of the search efforts.

For context, the latest incident comes as search continues for eight fishermen from Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district. This person went missing after setting out from the Odalarevu fish landing centre in Allavaram mandal on August 3 aboard mechanised fishing boat AP.MO 135 for tuna fishing. The fishermen were projected to return between August 10 and 12.

When they reportedly stated they were heading towards the Odisha coast, nevertheless, their families lost contact with them after their last phone conversation on August 7. No communication has been received from them since.

Taken together, the developments around another fisherman goes missing off Visakhapatnam coast point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.