Coast Guard station, Karwar organized its first ever bravery award ceremony in appreciation of heroic act and contribution towards saving seven fishermen at Bhatkal fishing harbour on Aug 21 under the directive and guidance of Coast Guard Karnataka Headquarters, Mangaluru. Mankal Vaidya, Bhaktal MLA, ASP, Bhatkal, CSP Bhatkal and president of fishing community Vinod Kharvi and scores of fishermen attended the event. Indian Coast Guard, Karwar organized this felicitation ceremony to commend the valiant and brotherhood act shown by fellow fishermen while saving seven precious lives of ill-fated boat Guru Anugraha at sea. In the ceremony, Coast Guard presented bravery awards, certificates and cash award of Rs 10,000 to four fishermen of fishing boat Matsya Deep. They are Gopal Muger, Suresh Basava, Kharvi, Navin Masti Kharvi and Srinivas Narayan Kharvi. These fishermen had shown their valour and presence of mind in times of dire need and saved the lives of fellow fishermen. On August 3, ill fated fishing boat Guru Anugraha while at sea, capsized owing to rough sea conditions. While seven fishermen on board this fishing vessel were saved, one fisherman – Manjunath went missing. On receipt of the information, Coast Guard had launched search and rescue mission for the missing fisherman. Coast Guard had immediately sailed two ships for SAR mission despite extreme sea conditions, undertook numerous air sorties using Coast Guard Helicopter, which aided in surveillance through air. The ships carried out extensive search in the probable area off Bhatkal to trace the missing fisherman. Finally, the body of Manjunath was found washed ashore due to sea conditions near Maravanthe beach, some 10-kms off Kundapur in Udupi. Indian Coast Guard had arranged this award ceremony to boost the morale and felicitate the gallant act of the fishermen who rescued others in need. Coast Guard has also been successful in setting up example for other fishermen to be conscious of their obligation and encourage them to adhere to safety measures and carry life saving equipment whenever they venture out to sea, noted K R Suresh, DIG, Commander, Coast Guard, Karnataka.
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