Fisherman missing after falling overboard, search underway off Vizag coast

Fisherman missing after falling overboard, search underway off Vizag coast Published – August 20, 2026 07: 56 pm IST – VISAKHAPATNAM.

Key points

• According to the Marine Police, the missing fisherman, identified as Appanna, was part of an eight-member crew that had ventured into the sea on August 16.
• Anitha additionally stock of the developments, and directed the Fisheries Department, Marine Police, and Coast Guard to utilise all available resources.
• Abhishikt Kishore reviewed the situation and spoke directly with Coast Guard authorities, directing them to step up rescue efforts and deploy specialised assets.
• The incident reportedly occurred around 12.15 a.m.
• A Coast Guard helicopter was pressed into service to search the offshore area.

Notably, a 50-year-old fisherman went missing after he allegedly fell overboard from a fishing boat (INDAPV5MM877) approximately 11 nautical miles off the Visakhapatnam coast in the early hours of Thursday, August 20.

For context, the incident reportedly occurred around 12.15 a.m. On Thursday as the boat was returning to shore. According to Crew members, appanna had gone to the rear side of the vessel to fetch salt employed for preserving the fish catch when they heard a sudden splash. On checking, they discovered him missing.

For context, the boat owner's brother alerted the authorities shortly after the incident, prompting the launch of a joint search operation immediately.

District Collector M. Abhishikt Kishore reviewed the situation and spoke directly with Coast Guard authorities, directing them to step up rescue efforts and deploy specialised assets.

For context, a Coast Guard helicopter was pressed into service to search the offshore area. The aerial search complements the search efforts by the multiple vessels already in the water of the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and a private vessel in locating the missing person.

State Home Minister V. Anitha additionally stock of the developments, and directed the Fisheries Department, Marine Police, and Coast Guard to utilise all available resources.

This incident comes after growing worries over safety at sea after a series of maritime mishaps off the North Coastal Andhra stretch, including a vessel that capsized earlier in July off the coast of Visakhapatnam that left six fishermen missing during rough weather conditions. Fishing associations have pressed strict adherence to onboard safety protocols.

As the coordinated search for Appanna continues off the coast, authorities have called on the fishing community to exercise heightened caution while venturing out.

In short, fisherman missing after falling overboard, search underway off Vizag coast is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.