The tug from Vizhinjam port towed a maritime enforcement boat that became trapped on Friday owing to engine failure after a difficult three-hour operation in the choppy seas.

According to a port official, “about 8 a.m., we received a report regarding a boat named Pratheeksha that was stranded at sea after a mechanical failure while searching for fishermen engaged in an accident at Adimalathura. The boat had nine people on board, including nurses.

The boat was stranded around four nautical miles off the coast for about an hour, according to a marine enforcement official.

“From Vizhinjam Port, the tugboat Dolphin 26 arrived at the location. Pratheeksha was safely transported to the port following three hours of labor in inclement weather. It was quite difficult to tow because the sea was so choppy. Attaching a rope to the marine department’s boat and then towing it took time. As the boat was being towed to the port, the sea was rough and it was rocking violently,” the port official stated.

The marine enforcement wing assists fishermen in need, patrols the sea on a regular basis, and keeps an eye out for suspicious activities.

These tugboats are built for towing and have strong engines and winches. They are also quite maneuverable and capable of sailing in choppy waters.