The Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources is actively involved in monitoring and assisting several multi-day fishing vessels that have encountered technical failures and emergencies in deep-sea waters, states Director General Mr.Susantha Kahawatte.

Providing details of the incidents currently being tracked through the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS), the Director General stated the following:

• IMULA 1388 MTR vessel: The support vessel IMULA 1112 TLE, owned by the same operator, departed on May 14 to assist and tow the distressed vessel, which had become disabled near Indonesian territorial waters due to a technical fault. The support vessel is expected to reach the affected vessel within the next day.
• Vessel 0700 GLE: The fishermen aboard this vessel, which had been abandoned following distress at sea, were safely rescued by vessel 1034 GLE. It has been confirmed that the rescued fishermen are currently onboard the same vessel and have resumed fishing activities.
• Vessel 0181 TCO: This vessel, which experienced a technical malfunction, is currently being towed to Galle Harbour by vessel 1907 MTR. According to reports, the vessel is presently located approximately 120 nautical miles off Galle.

Further commenting on the situation, Mr. Susantha Kahawatte emphasized that recovering distressed vessels in international waters is an extremely costly and time-consuming operation.

“We strongly urge all vessel owners to ensure the seaworthiness of their vessels before departing for fishing operations. Such incidents can be significantly reduced by deploying only properly repaired and technically sound vessels. This is essential not only for safeguarding the lives of fishermen, but also for protecting the assets of vessel owners,” the Director General further stated.