CANACONA: In a dramatic mid-sea ordeal, a fishing boat (Path) with four local fishermen went missing off the Talpona coast after a motor engine failure, drifting deep into the Arabian Sea and straying towards Ankola in Karnataka, before all four were finally rescued and escorted safely back to Talpona Jetty by the Talpona Coastal Police late Tuesday evening.
The fishermen were initially assisted mid-sea by a Kerala-based fishing trawler, which provided them with fuel, water, ice, charged their mobile phone and crucially guided them with navigational directions to head back towards Goan waters.
Boat Drifts After Engine Breakdown
The incident occurred when the fibre fishing boat Path, carrying a four-member crew led by tandel Sandeep Arondekar, along with Vijendra Arondekar, Aniket Govekar (all residents of Talpona) and Anthony J.B. Rebello of Galgibaga, left Talpona Jetty on Monday evening for routine overnight fishing operations.
After securing a good catch, including large kingfish, tandel Arondekar contacted the boat owner, Sagar Namshikar, informing him to expect their return within 90 minutes and to arrange transport for the fish. However, the boat failed to arrive even after two hours, and its only mobile phone became unreachable due to a discharged battery.
Growing apprehensive, owner Namshikar ventured into the sea with another fisherman around 4.30 am to search for the missing boat, while maintaining contact with people ashore. By 7.45 am, worried family members lodged a formal complaint at the Talpona Coastal Police Station.
Massive Search Operation Launched
Talpona Coastal Police Station PI Therron S. D’Costa immediately prepared a detailed report describing the boat’s colour, markings and registration number and circulated it to all coastal police stations, senior police officials, the Coast Guard, Fisheries Department, fishing boat associations and coastal authorities of neighbouring States.
A large-scale search operation was launched. Coast Guard assets, including a helicopter, were deployed for aerial surveillance, while multiple boats combed Goan waters. Boat associations and coastal police units from Canacona also joined the effort.
Meanwhile, panic and tension gripped Talpona as the fishermen remained untraceable, triggering public anger and emotional distress among families and residents.
Help from Kerala Trawler
Speaking after their rescue, tandel Sandeep Arondekar said, “Our engine broke down and strong winds pushed us into deep sea. We were completely lost. A fishing trawler passing by helped us with fuel, water, ice and even charged our mobile phone. They guided us on how to navigate back towards Goa.”
Information later emerged that the missing boat had been sighted in Karnataka waters near the Karwar–Ankola belt. Karnataka Coast Guard teams were placed on alert, while Goan authorities waited to intercept the boat as it returned.
Boat Loses Track Again; Coastal Police Step In
However, despite heading back towards Goa, the boat again lost its navigational track, overshot the Talpona coast and drifted past Galgibaga, Palolem and Agonda, finally reaching the Khola–Betul coast.
By then, phone contact had been re-established. PI Therron D’Costa, accompanied by two PSIs and a constable, ventured into the sea around 1 pm in a specially requisitioned speedboat. After locating the stranded vessel, the police team escorted it safely, bringing two fishermen aboard the police boat while the remaining two followed in the fishing boat.
Emotional Reunion at Jetty
At around 6.45 pm, the police team returned to Talpona Jetty with all four fishermen, triggering scenes of relief and jubilation as hundreds of anxious relatives and residents gathered to welcome them back.
An ambulance with a doctor and nurse was stationed at the jetty. All four fishermen were medically examined and declared safe, healthy and stable. Two were found to have slightly elevated blood pressure, which doctors said was common given the stress they had endured.
The successful rescue brought immense relief to families, residents and authorities alike, bringing to a close a tense day marked by anxiety, large-scale search operations and public agitation.
