Team Herald
VASCO: Over 500 Indian fishing vessels from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat and other states with hundreds of fishermen onboard on Monday took refuge at Vasco bay due to the impact of Cyclone Ockhi.
According to the information, since the cyclone is heading towards Gujarat at high speed, the sea has turned rough and therefore following warnings by the concerned agencies, the fishing vessels, which were carrying out fishing at sea off Goa coast, rushed towards the Khariwado Jetty for shelter.
Congestion at Khariwado Jetty as well as in Vasco Bay was clearly seen due to such high presence of fishing trawlers in the River Zuari.
Extending a helping hand to these stranded fishermen, the Khariwado-based fishermen’s association has been providing all kind of support to them.
“These fishing vessels were carrying out fishing activity in deep sea off Goa coast. Thus, when the warnings were issued, these fishing vessels came to Vasco bay for shelter. On humanitarian grounds, we are providing all necessary help and support and other required assistance to these stranded fishermen, who arrived at the Vasco bay,” said Simon Pereira, secretary of Khariwado-based Goa Fishing Boat Owners’ Association.
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector General Manoj Vasant Baadkar, Commander Goa Coast Guard informed that Goa Coast Guard did not receive any distress call due to impact of the Cyclone Ockhi in last two days.
MPT officials informed that though the presence of fishing vessels in Vasco bay is high, there is no obstruction to MPT operations as the navigational channel is open.
