Indian Coast Guard (ICG) rescued 19 Bangladeshi fishermen from the Bay of Bengal in the early hours today. As per a press note, the ICG aircraft was on operational tasking in the Bay of Bengal last night (December 7) when it noticed a fishing boat in the Indian EEZ following which the boat was contacted on VHF radio to which no response was received. The aircraft passed the information to Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) Varad that was deployed in the Bay of Bengal on another operational mission. The ship Varad immediately approached towards the boat factoring wind and sea conditions and located the boat in early hours today (December 8). The boat was identified to be Bangladeshi fishing boat with 19 crew members onboard. On investigation, the drifting boat was confirmed as Bangladesh fishing boat Rana’. The boat had left Coxbazaar (Bangladesh) on November 15 for fishing and remained adrift for long. The boat drifted into Indian EEZ due to break down in the machinery. The crew was found exhausted with no ration onboard and was provided with first aid, food and water by the Coast Guard ship, the press note informed. The press note further stated, Bangladesh Coast Guard has been requested under the ambit of existing MoU between Indian Coast Guard and Bangladesh Coast Guard to make necessary arrangements for taking over the stranded fishing boat along with the crew at the pre-designated location in the vicinity of International Maritime Boundary Line. The stranded boat is being towed by Coast Guard ship for further handing over to Bangladesh authorities.