Indian Coast Guard Rescues 9 Fishermen After Mid-Sea Collision Off Kanyakumari Coast
Thiruvananthapuram, March 9, 2026 — In a major mid-sea rescue operation, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully evacuated nine injured fishermen after their boat sank following a severe collision with a merchant vessel off the Kanyakumari coast. Search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate two crew members who remain missing.
The incident occurred early Saturday, March 7, when an Indian fishing boat, St Joseph, was reportedly rammed by a Panama-registered merchant vessel, MT Solis, approximately 120 nautical miles off the coast.
The Collision and Immediate Rescue
According to coastal police officials, the fishing boat—which had set out from the Shakthikulangara Harbour in Kollam on Friday—was anchored at sea with 11 crew members on board when it was struck by the MT Solis, a merchant ship traveling from Oman to Colombo.
The massive impact completely destroyed the fishing boat, causing it to sink rapidly. The crew of the MT Solis immediately launched a lifeboat and managed to pull nine of the fishermen from the choppy waters.
ICG Ship Anagh Swings into Action
The ICG’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Mumbai received a distress alert regarding the sinking vessel at approximately 1:45 PM on Saturday. Acting swiftly, the Coast Guard immediately dispatched the ICG Ship Anagh from Vizhinjam to intercept the merchant vessel.
In a well-coordinated operation on Sunday, March 8, the ICG Ship Anagh rendezvoused with the MT Solis about 80 nautical miles off the Vizhinjam coast. The nine rescued fishermen were safely transferred aboard the Coast Guard vessel, where they were immediately administered first aid and critical medical assistance by onboard doctors.
Upon reaching the Vizhinjam harbour, the injured fishermen were rushed to the Government Medical College Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram for further specialized treatment.
Search Operations and Investigation
While nine lives were saved, the search for the two remaining fishermen continues. The Coast Guard has intensified its search and rescue (SAR) operations in the area, actively combing the waters alongside local fishing boats. Authorities have also clarified earlier rumors, confirming that the missing individuals have not yet been traced.
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Shipping has officially ordered a comprehensive investigation into the maritime collision to determine the exact circumstances that led to the merchant ship ramming an anchored fishing vessel.
