the goan I network
VASCO
As many as 16 fishing trawlers along with 187 crew from Kerala and near Tamil Nadu coast have sought shelter at Cortalim, after being stranded due to the rough sea and inclement weather.
According to reports, the Kerala fishing boats had arrived and had sought shelter at Cortalim on August 5 after encountering rough sea and bad weather. But their presence was not noticed until the stranded fishermen uploaded a video of their plight on Facebook on Thursday evening.
Responding to calls for assistance, Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha, Cortalim Deputy Sarpanch Raymond D’Sa and the Kerala Sangamam were quick to offer help to the stranded fishermen.
According to K B Harish Kumar, secretary of the Zuarinagar-based Kerala Sangamam, the Kerala fishing boats had arrived on August 5 and were in Cortalim for 10 days.
“The stranded fishermen did not know anyone in the area and faced a language barrier, which prevented them from interacting with local fishermen.”
“Their water and rations were quickly depleting and when they were left with almost no food and water, the stranded fishermen uploaded details of their plight on Facebook, which alerted the Kerala Samaj,” said Kumar.
“Their plight was then conveyed to Cortalim MLA Alina Saldanha, who immediately provided food and water to the stranded fishermen. Among the people who were the first to help the fishermen was Cortalim Dy Sarpanch Raymond D’Sa. A lot of local people also had offered immediate help and assistance,” acknowledged a grateful
Kumar.
Kumar said the situation in Kerala was also bad due to bad weather and they had alerted the fisheries department in Kerala about the presence of the stranded Kerala fishermen in Goa.
“The weather forecast is predicted to be bad over the next few days and the fishermen are expected to return to Kerala and Tamil Nadu once the weather improves,” said Kumar.
When contacted, D’Sa said rough weather had forced fishing boats to seek shelter at any place of convenience and close to them.
“I also have a fishing boat and could relate to the sad plight of the stranded fishermen. It’s our duty to help the stranded fishermen from any location in India, as they have arrived here to seek shelter. We will also provide provide them with food, water and any assistance that they may need under humanitarian grounds. We will also make diesel arrangements for these stranded trawlers,” said D’Sa.
