Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday (August 12, 2026) reviewed the search for a fishing boat carrying eight fishermen from Allavaram mandal in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. It went missing at sea, and asked officials to step up the search until the boat and the fishermen were traced.
During a review with CMO office-holders, Mr. Naidu asked about the search and rescue operations to locate the fishermen. This person are from Odalarevu, Dummalapeta and Vasalatippa villages.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that the boat had set out from the Odalarevu jetty at around 10 a.m. on August 3. After which no communication was received, the fishermen remained in contact with their families by phone until around 11 a.m. on August 7.
The boat had a VHF communication set and the fishermen were carrying mobile phones, officials stated. They think the boat may have reached the fishing grounds at around 6 p.m. that day.
The boat was expected back by August 12 but did not return, and special search operations began. Coast Guard vessels were alerted and deployed, officials stated, quoting the Coast Guard Commandant.
Fishing boats operating from Kakinada, Bhairavapalem, Visakhapatnam and Paradip have also been alerted and asked for any information that could assist locate the missing boat.
Mr. Naidu asked officials to stay in constant touch with the families and keep them informed. He said all available resources should be employed to trace the fishermen safely.
The Chief Minister asked the Coast Guard, the Fisheries Department and the district administration to continue coordinated search operations until the boat was traced.
Assuring the families that the government would stand by them, Mr. Naidu asked them to remain courageous and said every effort would be produced to locate the fishermen safely.
Eight fishermen missing since August 7
The boat carrying eight fishermen left the Odalarevu boat landing centre on August 3 for tuna along the Andhra Pradesh coast, moved towards the Odisha coast on August 7, the day of the crew’s last phone call home, and was due back on August 10. Six of the eight are from Odalarevu village and two from Kakinada. When the boat had not returned by Monday (August 17, 2026), the district administration asked the Indian Coast Guard units at Kakinada and Visakhapatnam to begin a search and alerted the State Disaster Management Authority.
The boat carried 1,000 litres of diesel against the 600 the trip needed, and food enough for 17 days. It the Fisheries Department says should last until August 20. Fishing boats working out of Kakinada, Bhairavapalem, Visakhapatnam and Paradip have been asked to report anything they see.