The Bangladesh Navy has rescued 12 fishermen along with their fishing trawler after its engine broke down in the Bay of Bengal.
The rescue operation was carried out by naval ship BNS Padma after several hours of searching for the trawler, FB Naim, according to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) today (11 September).
Yesterday, the operation began after BNS Padma received information during a routine patrol about the trawler drifting at sea with its engine disabled.
A No 3 local cautionary signal was in force at the time, while rough seas with Sea State 4 conditions and adverse weather made the rescue operation difficult, the release added.
After several hours of intensive searching, the naval crew located the trawler by radar. Around 10:30pm, they successfully rescued the 12 fishermen aboard FB Naim, it added.
Following the rescue, the fishermen were provided with food and drinking water. One fisherman who was injured while fishing also received first aid from naval personnel.
The Navy later towed the disabled trawler about 28km through the rough sea to an outpost of the Bangladesh Coast Guard near Dublar Char, adjacent to the Sundarbans, it mentioned.
The rescued fishermen and their trawler were then handed over to the Coast Guard.
According to the fishermen, FB Naim left Payra Port on 8 September to go fishing in the Bay of Bengal. Its engine broke down the following night, leaving the trawler drifting at sea with the 12 fishermen on board.
