7 Andhra fishermen return home after 25 days lost at sea
Synopsis
Seven fishermen from Andhra Pradesh's Konaseema district survived more than three weeks adrift in the Bay of Bengal after their boat engine failed, reportedly going without food for over three days before local fishermen near West Bengal's Shankarpur harbour spotted them. Their return to Kakinada on 28 August ended a 25-day ordeal that had drawn a 15-vessel, four-helicopter Coast Guard operation.
Key Takeaways
Seven fishermen from Dr B.R.
Ambedkar Konaseema district , Andhra Pradesh , returned home on 28 August after 25 days lost at sea.
The crew departed Odalrevu fish landing point on 3 August and lost contact with families on 7 August .
A boat engine failure left them stranded; they reportedly survived without food for more than three days .
They were discovered near Shankarpur fishing harbour off the West Bengal coast on Wednesday by local fishermen.
The search involved 15 Coast Guard vessels , four helicopters , the Indian Navy , and Central government support.
The seven crew members were received at Kakinada by MLA V.
Kondababu , MLC Rajashekhar , and district officials.
Seven fishermen from Andhra Pradesh's Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district safely returned home on Friday, 28 August after spending 25 days stranded at sea, officials confirmed. The men, who had set out on 3 August from the Odalrevu fish landing point aboard a mechanised boat, were found near the Shankarpur fishing harbour off the West Bengal coast on Wednesday — more than 1,000 kilometres from where they had originally ventured.
How the Fishermen Were Found
The seven fishermen had gone deep-sea fishing off the Andhra coast in search of tuna but lost contact with their families on 7 August, four days after departure. They were originally scheduled to return on 12 August. When they failed to appear, anxious families approached local authorities, triggering a large-scale search operation across the Bay of Bengal.
By Tuesday, the operation had been significantly scaled up with the deployment of 15 Coast Guard vessels and four helicopters. The search was conducted in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the Indian Navy, and multiple state and central government departments.
On Wednesday afternoon, local fishermen near Shankarpur harbour spotted the drifting boat and came to the crew's aid. They handed over a mobile phone, allowing the stranded men to call their families in Andhra Pradesh and confirm they were safe.
A Boat Engine Failure That Changed Everything
According to the fishermen, the ordeal began when the boat's engine developed a technical snag, leaving them adrift far from shore. They reportedly survived without food for more than three days while at sea before eventually drifting toward the West Bengal coastline. The crew's resilience over more than three weeks without reliable communication or provisions has drawn widespread attention.
The seven fishermen on board were identified as Kopanathi Ramakrishna, Kollati Yesudasu, Palepu Santa Rao, Kollati Srinubabu, Karri Rambabu, Sangani Tatarao, and Kataadi Satish Kumar.
Reception and Return
Officials facilitated the fishermen's journey back from West Bengal to their home district. Upon arrival at Kakinada, they were received by MLA V. Kondababu, MLC Rajashekhar, and district officials. The reunion with their families, after 25 days of anguish and uncertainty, was described as an emotional occasion.
Broader Context
This incident underscores the recurring vulnerability of fishermen operating in deep-sea conditions along India's eastern coastline. Engine failures, unpredictable currents, and limited communication equipment have contributed to several such disappearances in the Bay of Bengal in recent years. The scale of the rescue response — involving the Navy, Coast Guard, and Central government support — reflects the multi-agency coordination now being deployed for maritime distress situations. Authorities are yet to comment on whether the mechanised boat carried adequate safety equipment at the time of departure.
Point of View
Often traced to engine failures and the absence of emergency communication equipment. The scale of the response, involving 15 Coast Guard vessels and four helicopters, raises a pointed question: why does the system mobilise so extensively after a crisis rather than mandating basic safety retrofits before boats leave shore? India's deep-sea fishing fleet remains largely under-equipped for distress signalling, and the regulatory framework governing mechanised boats has not kept pace with the risks. This rescue should prompt a review of mandatory safety standards, not just a moment of relief.
NationPress
28 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the seven Andhra Pradesh fishermen who went missing?
The seven fishermen from Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district set out on 3 August from Odalrevu for deep-sea fishing and lost contact on 7 August after their boat engine failed. They were found safe near Shankarpur fishing harbour off the West Bengal coast on Wednesday and returned home to Kakinada on 28 August after 25 days at sea.
Where were the missing Andhra fishermen found?
They were found near the Shankarpur fishing harbour off the West Bengal coast, far from where they had originally been fishing off the Andhra coast. Local fishermen in the area spotted the drifting boat on Wednesday afternoon and provided them with a mobile phone to contact their families.
How did the fishermen survive for 25 days at sea?
According to the fishermen, a technical snag in the boat engine left them adrift. They reportedly went without food for more than three days during the ordeal before drifting toward the West Bengal coast. The source of any water or sustenance during the remaining period has not been detailed in official statements.
Who conducted the search operation for the missing fishermen?
An extensive multi-agency search was launched in the Bay of Bengal, involving the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), the Indian Navy, and state and central government departments. By Tuesday, the operation had scaled up to 15 Coast Guard vessels and four helicopters.
Who are the seven fishermen who were rescued?
The seven fishermen are Kopanathi Ramakrishna, Kollati Yesudasu, Palepu Santa Rao, Kollati Srinubabu, Karri Rambabu, Sangani Tatarao, and Kataadi Satish Kumar, all from Dr B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district in Andhra Pradesh.
