Navy brings three ill fishermen ashore off Trincomalee for emergency treatment

The Sri Lanka Navy rescued three fishermen who fell suddenly ill aboard a multi-day fishing trawler off the island's east coast and brought them ashore on Sunday (November 9) for emergency medical treatment.

The three crew members of the trawler 'Cheshan Putha 02' became ill while the boat was operating about 25 nautical miles off Trincomalee. The rescue was coordinated through the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Colombo on a request from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.

The trawler had left Trincomalee harbour on November 6 with seven fishermen on board. A Fast Attack Craft, P 450, of the Eastern Naval Command was dispatched to the vessel, and the three sick fishermen were transferred and brought back to shore, where they were handed over for treatment. The condition of the remaining crew was reported to be stable.

The Eastern Naval Command's fast attack craft P450 carried out the evacuation, and the rescued fishermen were given first aid on board before being brought into Trincomalee harbour. They were later transferred to Trincomalee General Hospital for further treatment. The navy said it remains ready at all times to respond immediately to emergencies affecting fishing and maritime communities.