VISHAKHAPATNAM: A mechanized fishing boat carrying a crew of seven people went missing in the Bay of Bengal after it set sail from Vizag fishing harbour on July 1 for fishing.The boat, MM-V5-83, had seven fishermen on board. It went missing while returning to the fishing harbour with its catch due to gusty winds on the account of a well-marked low pressure over the Bay of Bengal.The fishermen reportedly spoke to their families on Saturday afternoon (at around 2 pm) and informed them that they will return to fishing harbour by evening. However, the failed to reach the harbour and their mobile phones have been switched off.Fisher folk leaders said the fishing boat was supposed to arrive at Vizag fishing harbour on Saturday evening. However, the crew in the boat were not in contact with family members and fisher folk leaders from Saturday evening, and the boat was yet to arrive. The fisher folk leader suspect that boat’s engine failed due to rough sea conditions and gusty winds.The missing fishermen Chinna, Appalraju, Garagayya, K. Chinnaiah, Sithodu, Bandiyya and Chinna Ammoru belonged to Mukkam village of Bhogapuram mandal in Vizianagaram district and Bheemili in Vizag district.The Indian Coast Guard and Indian Navy personnel will launch a search operation for the missing fishermen as the boat failed to return shore as scheduled.
