Navy rescues 16 fishermen from Bay of Bengal

The Bangladesh Navy has rescued 16 fishermen along with their fishing boat after its engine broke down, leaving them adrift in the Bay of Bengal for three days.

As part of its regular patrols to ensure security in the country's maritime areas and maintain maritime governance, naval ship BNS Kapotakkho spotted the fishing boat FB Al Amin near the Mongla Fairway Buoy on Monday and rescued the fishermen aboard.

According to an ISPR press release, the Navy received information on Sunday night that a fishing boat had been drifting in the Bay after its engine broke down.

The naval vessel reached the spot and rescued the fishermen along with the boat. The fishermen were provided with necessary food, safe drinking water and first aid.

The fishermen said they had set out from Sarankhola in Bagerhat on 19 August to catch fish in the sea. Two days after entering the sea, the boat's engine broke down, leaving them adrift for about three days, read the release.

Later, despite the inclement weather, the Navy towed the fishing boat to Hiron Point near the Sundarbans and handed over the fishermen and the boat to the Bangladesh Coast Guard.