Navy rescues 38 persons aboard trawler at Delft Jetty entrance

In a dramatic rescue operation, the Sri Lanka Navy successfully rescued 38 individuals who were stranded on trawler which ran aground near the Delft Jetty yesterday (7) morning. As a result of the Navy’s prompt involvement, a shipment of construction materials that were at risk of sinking was also saved.

The distressed trawler (Kali Ambal 2) was transporting construction materials with 38 persons on board from the Kurikadduwan Jetty at Pungudutivu Island, Jaffna to the Delft Island when it ran aground at the entrance to the Delft Jetty due to the low tide, causing distress among those on board as the vessel started to fill with seawater through openings. A distress call was made to SLNS Wasaba in the Northern Naval Command for assistance.Responding promptly to the situation, Inshore Patrol Craft and small craft belonging to SLNS Wasaba were rushed to the scene and rescued the distressed persons and the cargo.