Indian Navy joins search for three missing fishermen after boat mishaps in Kerala

The Indian Navy has joined the search operation for three fishermen who have been missing since separate fishing boat accidents in Kerala on July 31, officials said on Sunday. Navy divers have begun an underwater search as authorities intensify efforts to locate the missing fishermen in the coastal waters of Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram districts.

The three fishermen — Gautam Krishna, John and Shijin — went missing following separate boat mishaps at Neendakara, Vizhinjam and Muthalappozhi. The search operation, which has been led by the Coastal Police, Marine Enforcement Wing of the Fisheries Department and the Coast Guard, entered its 10th day on Sunday.

The Indian Navy’s intervention follows protests by the families of the missing fishermen, who alleged that there were lapses and delays in the search operation. The state government subsequently sought assistance from the Navy to strengthen the ongoing efforts.

According to a Defence spokesperson, INS Kalpeni sailed from Kochi on Saturday night to participate in the search. The naval vessel was anchored about one nautical mile off Neendakara on Sunday morning, from where specialised Navy divers began underwater operations.

A specialised diving team is currently deployed aboard the vessel. The Marine Enforcement Wing has also been coordinating with the Navy to help identify and localise potential diving positions. A Marine Enforcement boat is maintaining a presence near INS Kalpeni during the operation.

The underwater search began at around 10 am, with Navy divers using portable SONAR equipment to improve their ability to detect objects and conduct surveillance beneath the surface. The technology is expected to provide the divers with enhanced underwater visibility and assist in searching areas that may be difficult to examine through conventional methods.

Coastal Police officials said the Navy would initially concentrate its efforts on locating Gautam Krishna, who disappeared after a fishing boat capsized off the Neendakara coast. Once that search phase is completed, Navy resources are expected to be utilised in the search for the other two missing fishermen, John and Shijin, in the Muthalappozhi and Vizhinjam areas.

The continued disappearance of the fishermen has triggered growing concern among their families and intensified political pressure on the Kerala government. Opposition parties have criticised the authorities, alleging that the response to the incidents was too slow and that more should have been done earlier to locate the missing men.

Union Minister Suresh Gopi also said on Sunday that he would continue efforts to trace Gautam Krishna. In a Facebook post, Gopi said Krishna’s mother had personally appealed to him to stand with her and help find her son.

Gopi said he had been maintaining contact with senior officials and would ensure that the search operation did not lose momentum. He said additional resources had now been mobilised to intensify the maritime search.

According to Gopi, a vessel carrying Navy divers has resumed the emergency search at sea, while Coast Guard helicopters have increased aerial surveillance over the affected areas. Indian Oil is also providing support by ensuring the uninterrupted availability of fuel and other facilities required for the operation.

An emergency helipad is being prepared at Amritapuri with the cooperation of college authorities, which officials hope will help accelerate the movement of personnel and equipment involved in the rescue effort.

The search comes amid continuing uncertainty for the families of Gautam Krishna, John and Shijin. With Navy divers now using specialised equipment alongside Coast Guard aerial surveillance and marine enforcement teams, authorities are seeking to expand the search capability and improve the chances of locating the missing fishermen.

Gopi expressed confidence that the combined efforts of government agencies and the prayers of the families would eventually bring Gautam Krishna back. He said he would continue standing with Krishna’s mother and vowed not to abandon the search.

The Navy’s deployment marks a significant escalation in the multi-agency operation as authorities race against time to locate the three fishermen nearly two weeks after the separate boat mishaps.