Eleven Days Adrift: The Harrowing Tale of 31 Fishermen Rescued from the Arabian Sea

Eleven days. Can you truly imagine it? Drifting, helplessly, on the vast, indifferent expanse of the Arabian Sea. That’s precisely the harrowing reality 31 brave fishermen faced aboard the ‘Kalamma,’ their fishing vessel, after its engine, for whatever reason, decided to give up the ghost, leaving them utterly at the mercy of the waves. It’s a terrifying thought, honestly, the kind that keeps you awake at night, even for those of us safe on terra firma. But this isn't just a tale of despair; it's a testament, you could say, to sheer human grit and the unwavering spirit of rescue.

The journey had begun, as so many do, with hope and purpose. The 'Kalamma' had set sail from Malpe fishing harbour in Udupi district way back on November 2nd, a regular fishing expedition, nothing out of the ordinary, or so it seemed. Yet, just a day later, on November 3rd, the boat's main engine failed, crippling their vessel and, critically, severing all communication with the shore. For nearly two weeks, then, these men — a diverse crew, hailing from places like Udupi, Honnavar, Bhatkal, even Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu — were essentially swallowed by the sea, their whereabouts unknown, their fate a chilling mystery.

How do you survive such an ordeal? Well, as it turns out, on hope, ingenuity, and whatever provisions you have on board. The fishermen, through those long, agonizing days and even longer, darker nights, managed to sustain themselves on the stored rations they had taken along for the trip. But even the best-stocked pantry has its limits, and certainly, the mental toll of not knowing if or when rescue would arrive must have been immense. It's not just hunger, is it? It's the gnawing uncertainty, the isolation, the sheer vastness of the ocean reminding you of your own smallness.

Thankfully, an alarm was sounded, eventually. The Coastal Security Police (CSP) in Mangaluru, alerted by the boat owner/master after a prolonged silence, sprang into action. And this is where the Indian Coast Guard, those silent guardians of our seas, stepped in. Their mission: locate the 'Kalamma' and bring every single man home. It’s a monumental task, hunting for a single vessel in such a colossal body of water, but they don't back down easily. The ICGS Amartya, a formidable presence, was swiftly deployed from New Mangaluru Port. But then, as the search intensified, another ship, the ICGS Vikram, joined the fray, adding its capabilities to the crucial search and rescue operation.

The relentless search finally paid off. On November 14th, after what must have felt like an eternity, the 'Kalamma' was spotted, adrift in the Arabian Sea, approximately 17 nautical miles off the coast of Mangaluru. The relief, you can only imagine, must have been overwhelming. Imagine seeing that Coast Guard ship on the horizon after so long; it must have looked like an angel. The Coast Guard teams didn’t just find them; they immediately provided essential technical assistance to the distressed vessel, checking on the crew's well-being. And, honestly, the most crucial update? All 31 fishermen were found to be healthy, despite their incredible ordeal. They then began the slow, steady tow, bringing the 'Kalamma' and its grateful crew back to the relative safety of the Mangaluru Old Port.

The safe return of these men isn’t just a statistic; it’s a moment of profound relief for families scattered across different districts, different states even. It underscores, quite powerfully, the indispensable role of the Indian Coast Guard. In truth, this isn't an isolated incident either. Just a couple of months prior, in September, the ICGS Savitribai Phule had performed a similar heroics, rescuing six fishermen off the coast of Goa whose boat had also suffered an engine failure. These are the stories that, perhaps, don't always make the loudest headlines, but they speak volumes about dedication, vigilance, and, ultimately, humanity. And for the 31 men of the 'Kalamma,' it’s a story of survival against all odds, a true second chance at life.