Coast Guard Headquarters, Karnataka was actively involved in yet another search and rescue operation wherein 10 fishermen were rescued from Indian Fishing Boat Sea Shell (IND – KL – 04 – MM-1372), some 100km west of Malpe belonging to Kannur, district of Kerala. The boat has been in distress since January 20 due to flooding in machinery compartment and multiple machineries failure onboard. Indian Coast Guard Remote Operating Centre (ROS), Mangaluru received the distress call from fishing boat at 6.30pm on January 20 and immediately diverted ICGS Samar in area for rendering assistance. At 9.20pm on January 21, ICGS Samar located the fishing boat about 90km west of Malpe, carried out night boarding operations and undertook repairs for stopping the ingress of water into the boat. The crew was provided with necessary assistance and fishing boat taken under tow by the ship. ICGS Samar handed over the boat along with the 10 crew to deputy director, department of fisheries, off old Mangaluru port at 12.45pm on January 22. On completion of SAR, DIG S S Dasila Coast Guard Commander, Karnataka brought out the issue of negligence on part of owners of fishing boats in not keeping track of boats once they venture into sea in terms of safety and security of Crew. The matter is being taken up with state and district administration for ensuring that the owners be made more responsible and plays an active role in ensuring safety and security of crew onboard once they venture into sea for fishing. Dasila further stated that towing of fishing boat is not per say role of ICG, however in this case it was undertaken on humanitarian grounds. “Units of ICG are ever ready to safeguard the national maritime interest”, he added.