NAGAPATTINAM: Three fishermen stranded in the sea off the Vailankanni coast after their boat engine developed a snag were rescued by the Indian Navy personnel today.
The trio from Pushpavanam hamlet in the district had ventured out to sea on September 5. While fishing off Vailankanni, their boat engine developed a snag early this morning and the vessel started drifting towards deep sea, the Navy said.
Other fishermen in the vicinity alerted the Naval detachment at Nagapattinam, who immediately dispatched a patrol boat to rescue them.
After an extensive search, they spotted the boat about 20 nautical miles off Vailankanni coast, rescued them and brought them ashore. They were then offered first-aid and refreshments.
The Naval crew later handed over the fishermen to marine police here after they were questioned at the Naval detachment.