Indian Navy Launches Search And Rescue Mission After Scorpene Submarine-Fishing Boat Collision Off Goa Coast—All About It

An Indian fishing vessel with 13 crew members collided with an Indian Navy submarine off the Goa coast, the Defence Ministry said on Friday (22 November).

A massive search and rescue operation has been launched by the Indian Navy, which has deployed six ships and aircraft.

Out of the 13 crew members, 11 have been rescued, but two remain missing.

According to a statement from the Ministry of Defence, the fishing vessel, Marthoma, collided with a Scorpene-class submarine about 70 nautical miles off the Goa coast.

"Search and rescue efforts for the remaining two are underway and are being coordinated with Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Mumbai (MRCC). Additional assets including from the Coast Guard have been diverted to the area to augment the efforts," the statement said.

"The cause of the incident is being investigated," it added.

India's Scorpene-class submarines form a crucial part of its naval strength in the Indian Ocean, as they are capable of conducting diverse missions such as anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare, intelligence operations, mine laying, and area surveillance.

These submarines boast state-of-the-art technology, featuring advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons.

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