Six Indian crew members detained on Iranian vessel

The Indian Coast Guard intercepted and detained a foreign fishing vessel of Iranian nationality off the Kerala coast, operated by an Indian crew. The operation involved sea and air coordination, with Coast Guard ships and aircraft committing to the mission. The boat was found to be owned by an Iranian sponsor who had contracted Indian fishermen and issued them Iranian visas for fishing off the Iranian coast. The crew alleged ill-treatment and confiscation of their passports, leading them to escape to India using the same boat.

The crew of the detained fishing vessel, who were from the Kanyakumari region in Tamil Nadu, claimed that the sponsor had not provided them with basic living conditions and had mistreated them. After escaping from Iran to India, the boat was intercepted by the Indian Coast Guard off the Kerala coast. The vessel has been brought to Kochi, Kerala, for further investigations and legal proceedings. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining a constant vigil to safeguard India’s maritime border, according to the Indian Coast Guard.

The Indian Coast Guard’s interception of the Iranian fishing vessel underscores their commitment to adhering to due process and ensuring maritime security. The operation involved a multi-domain approach with sea and air coordination to detain the boat and investigate the allegations made by the crew. The crew’s escape from Iran to India raises concerns about the treatment of fishermen and the need for vigilance to protect India’s maritime borders. The detained vessel and crew are now under investigation in Kochi, Kerala, as the Indian Coast Guard continues to monitor and safeguard the country’s maritime interests.

Source .