On camera: Boat catches fire, Coast Guard rescues 7 fishermen in Karnataka

• Timely & swift action by Indian Coast Guard has saved lives of seven fishermen in distress. The rescue operation took place after a fishing boat caught fire near Karwar in Karnataka. Coast Guard Karnataka team rescued the fishermen & put off the fire in the boat on Friday. Marine rescue sub centre, New Mangalore received information about the fire at around 10 pm. The Coastal Guard rescue vessel C 155 went to the spot & rescued the seven fishermen. Coast Guard personnel rescued the fishermen from IFB Varda to another fishing boat IFB Vajra. It took nearly three hours for the Coast Guard to put out the fire amid inclement weather. The Coast Guard team then assisted IFB Vajra to tow the gutted boat to Karwar fishing harbour. The ill-fated boat was handed over to coastal security police, Karwar at 4 am Saturday. According to a Coast Guard release, the coastal police will carry out further investigation. The release added that the health conditions of all the seven fishermen were good.