Archive · 28 Aug 2026
MP Urges Satellite Phones, GPS for Every Fishing Boat
Seven fishermen from Konaseema were lost at sea for nearly 24 days.
They had left Odalarevu on August 3.
Their boat developed a technical problem and drifted toward Bangladesh.
Indian officials and Coast Guard personnel helped search for them.
A fishing boat from West Bengal eventually found them.
The fishermen were brought safely to the Digha coast.
MP Maddila Gurumoorthy said boats need better safety equipment.
He suggested satellite phones, GPS, working transponders, navigation tools and backup power.
Seven fishermen from Konaseema were rescued after being stranded at sea for nearly 24 days.
The fishermen left Odalarevu on August 3, but their boat developed a technical problem and drifted toward Bangladesh.
The rescue involved coordination among Indian ministries, diplomatic missions and Coast Guard personnel.
A fishing boat from West Bengal found the fishermen and brought them to the Digha coast.
MP Maddila Gurumoorthy called for every fishing boat to receive satellite phones, GPS, transponders, navigation equipment and power backup.
- Who
- Seven fishermen from Konaseema and Tirupati MP Maddila Gurumoorthy.
- What
- The fishermen were rescued after their boat developed a technical problem, while the MP called for stronger safety equipment on fishing boats.
- When
- The fishermen left on August 3 and were stranded for nearly 24 days; Gurumoorthy spoke to the media on Thursday.
- Where
- They departed from Odalarevu, drifted toward Bangladesh and were brought ashore at Digha in West Bengal.
- Why
- Their boat malfunctioned and drifted at sea, prompting a rescue operation and calls for improved fishing-boat safety systems.
- Fishermen rescued
- Seven fishermen from Konaseema
- Time stranded
- Nearly 24 days
- Departure
- Odalarevu, on August 3
- Rescue location
- Digha coast, West Bengal
- Requested equipment
- Satellite phones, GPS, functional transponders and navigation equipment
- Additional safety measure
- Reliable power backup and safety audits for every fishing boat
- Rescue support
- The Coast Guard, Central government departments and Indian missions assisted the search