ICG force rescued Bangladeshi fishermen and handed them over to BCG

On 4 April 2024, Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted a prompt operation and safely rescued 27 Bangladeshi fishermen. All of them were stranded on their fishing boat in the sea.

ICG ship 'Amogh' identified:

• Indian Coast Guard ship 'Amogh', while patrolling the India-Bangladesh International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) on April 4, 2024, sighted a Bangladeshi fishing boat (BFB) Sagar II drifting in Indian waters.
• After this, a team from an Indian Coast Guard ship was sent there to investigate the matter. During investigation, it was revealed that the steering gear of the Bangladeshi boat Sagar II was out of order for the last two days. The boat Sagar II was drifting in Indian waters since then. The fishing boat Sagar II had 27 crew members/fishermen on board.

The steering wheel of Sagar II was damaged:

• The Indian Coast Guard technical team tried to identify and repair the fault on the Bangladeshi boat. But the steering wheel of the boat Sagar II was completely damaged and could not be repaired at sea.

Action taken as per MOU between ICG force and BCG force:

• Since the sea conditions and weather conditions were favourable. Therefore, it was decided that as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ICG and BCG, the distressed boat was brought within the India-Bangladesh IMBL. Then it was handed over to IMBL or their coast guard ship or any other Bangladeshi fishing boat towards the Bangladesh border.
• Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard's regional headquarters in Kolkata established communication with the BCG. He was provided information about this incident and further action plan.

Fishermen handed over to BCG ship Kamruzzaman:

• Responding to this, Bangladesh Coast Guard Ship (BCGS) Kamruzzaman was deployed by BCG to tow the Bangladeshi fishing boat.
• BCG ship Kamruzzaman approached the India-Bangladesh IIMBL on 4 April 2024. ICG ship Amogh handed over 27 Bangladeshi fishermen along with their boats to BCG ship Kamruzzaman.
• This operation conducted by the ICG demonstrates India's commitment to safely save precious life at sea against all odds.
• Such successful search and rescue operations will not only strengthen the regional SAR infrastructure. But it will also increase international cooperation with neighboring countries.
• This action by the ICG is in line with its motto "Vayam Rakshamah", which means "We Protect".