In a significant development on August 5, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) made a discovery during a routine patrol. An unmanned adrift fishing boat, named Al Azher-1, was detected approximately 160 km away from the Maharashtra coast.

“After further investigation, it was revealed that the fishing vessel had been adrift at sea for an extended period due to rough weather conditions. The ICG conducted a thorough search and found the boat equipped with ropes and fishing nets, but no signs of suspicious activity were observed,” stated the ICG in a statement.

To uncover the boat’s origin and purpose, the ICG’s regional headquarters in Mumbai collaborated with Yemeni authorities and the fishing boat owner. It was confirmed that the vessel, carrying a crew of five, had experienced mechanical failure off Socotra on June 30, while on a passage from Socotra Port to Al Shihir Port in Yemen. The crew members were safely rescued by another fishing boat, leaving Al Azher-1 adrift ever since.

ICG’s monitoring and tracking of the south-west monsoon current indicated that the boat had drifted to the Arabian Sea before its detection. Unfortunately, Al Azher-1 was found partially sunk and heavily listed to port due to water ingress, with limited fuel on board. As a result, the boat continues to drift, raising concerns that it may run aground off north Maharashtra by August 8 or 9, 2023.

“We assure the public that there is no security threat associated with the vessel, as all credentials have been verified and confirmed as bonafide. The fishing boat poses no pollution threat,” reassured the ICG in their statement.

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