Six Mahim fishermen left adrift during unseasonal rain survive without food, fuel, communication, before miraculous rescue off Alibaug
The boat Pandurang Sai and all the fishing nets were damaged in the incident
I have been venturing into the sea for fishing for 16 years now, but have never experienced anything like this,” said 45-year-old Vithoba Soma Jakkar, recounting the horror of being stranded in the sea without food and connectivity for five days. Jakkar had set out with four other fishermen from Mahim on November 28 but after reaching Cuffe Parade they started to face the wrath of unseasonal rain and rough sea. Their boat was on the verge of capsizing as the sea turned choppy, but they somehow managed to stay afloat till some local fishermen on another fishing boat finally rescued them.
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The Sagari police, Coast Guard and Indian Navy officers had launched their search operation but Jakkar’s fishing trawler Pandurang Sai could not be traced.
Vithoba Jakkar, fisherman
Speaking to mid-day, Jakkar said it was a miraculous escape for them. “We left Mahim around 11 am on November 28. Other fishing trawlers from Mahim, Worli, Colaba, etc had also ventured into the sea the same day. There were five other fishermen—Nilesh, Jayram, Vilas, Sachin and Vikram —with me on the boat. We headed towards Cuffe Parade. Around 5.30 pm, we spread out about 500 nets to catch fish,” recalled Jakkar.
Rough sea, strong winds
“The sea suddenly became rough and strong winds were blowing. We decided to pull back the nets but all of it got damaged. So, we planned to touch shore but nothing was visible. We had to anchor the boat in the middle of the sea after switching off the engine,” he said.
The fishermen ran out of fuel and the boat kept drifting further into sea
“The following morning, when I started the engine, the boat was not moving due to the strong winds. We were around two hours away from the Mahim Causeway. Seawater got accumulated in the boat, so the workers kept removing it with the help of buckets to keep us afloat,” he added. “We again had to anchor the boat as it was not moving and save fuel as well,” Jakkar said.
He further said, “We could not get ourselves to light the stove and cook food as we were extremely scared. Seawater got mixed with the diesel and we ran out of fuel as well. It was November 30, and we had lost all hope. The boat kept drifting away and we were all exhausted. I even injured myself by slipping and falling on a nail.”
In the wee hours of December 3, Jakkar spotted a fishing trawler. “I shouted for help and signalled at them. On spotting us, they called some of their friends, who came and rescued us. Following this, I charged my phone and informed my wife about the incident. The fishermen came on another trawler Datta Sai and tugged off our boat to the shore at Alibaug, where we reached around 11 am on December 3,” he said.
After reaching Alibaug, the six fishermen were given food and water. Jakkar also got his wound treated. His brother-in-law Yogesh Pabale reached the spot with diesel and other essential items.
‘Boat couldn’t be traced’
Jakkar further said, “My fishing trawler and all the nets got damaged in the incident. I’ve not got any catch as well.” He has incurred a damage of Rs 5 lakh.
Speaking to mid-day, Jakkar’s wife Sujata said that when her husband did not return home, she informed the Sagari police station in Mahim. “The Coastal police had launched a search operation. Navy and Coast Guard officers were also informed, but his boat could not be traced,” Sujata added.
When contacted, an officer attached to the Mahim police station said, “Jakkar’s family approached us when he did not return home. We had launched a search operation along with the Indian Navy and Coast Guard but the fishing trawler Pandurang Sai could not be traced. They were rescued on December 3. All the six fishermen are completely fine and they are currently in Alibaug.”
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