A fishing trawler FB Jahan has been adrift in the Bay of Bengal for three days after its engine broke down mid-voyage. The vessel left BFDC Ghat five days ago for a deep-sea fishing trip with 17 fishermen on board but developed engine trouble about two days after reaching the open sea. Since then, the trawler has been at the mercy of the current, unable to power itself back to shore.
Where the trawler is now
The FB Jahan is now about 100 kilometres southwest of Patharghata, near Dublar Char in the southern Bay of Bengal. All 17 fishermen on board are residents of different areas of Patharghata upazila, and their families have been anxiously waiting for news since the news of the breakdown came.
How the Alarm Got to Shore
The situation only became known when the drifting trawler came within reach of a mobile network. In this short time, the fishermen got in touch with the owner of the ship, gave their coordinates and asked for immediate help. Earlier in the day, Md Bellal Hossain informed him of the situation, confirmed Golam Mostafa Chowdhury, president of the Barguna Fishermen Trawler Owners’ Association.
The Rescue Operation to Date
The Coast Guard West Zone was alerted once the alert was received and has already initiated a rescue operation to locate and tow the stranded trawler to safety. The Barguna Fishermen Trawler Owners’ Association has also launched a parallel rescue operation with its own boats and resources, a common practice in this stretch of the Bay of Bengal, where local trawler owners often arrive at stranded crews faster than official patrols.
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Why Do These Things Keep Happening
Engine failures and mechanical breakdowns are a regular risk for Bangladesh’s deep-sea fishing fleet, particularly trawlers that venture far from the coast of Patharghata and Barguna in search of better catches. Coverage is patchy out at sea, and crews can be days without a way to call for help, meaning families and associations have to coordinate rescues reactively once contact is finally made. This latest case is a familiar and urgent concern for the region’s fishing communities that face this risk on every deep-sea trip.
FAQs
What happened to the FB Jahan trawler?
The fishing trawler FB Jahan experienced a severe engine breakdown mid-voyage in the open sea, leaving its 17 crew members adrift in the Bay of Bengal for over 72 hours.
Where is the stranded vessel currently located?
The trawler is positioned approximately 100 kilometres southwest of Patharghata, near Dublar Char in the southern waters of the Bay of Bengal.
How did the crew successfully alert help on shore?
The crew was initially cut off from communication but managed to call the ship’s owner after drifting into an area with temporary mobile network coverage, allowing them to share their exact coordinates.
Who is handling the ongoing rescue operation?
The Coast Guard West Zone has deployed assets to locate and tow the vessel. Additionally, the Barguna Fishermen Trawler Owners’ Association has launched a parallel rescue mission using local boats to accelerate the rescue.
Why are engine failures a recurring issue for these fishermen?
Bangladesh’s deep-sea fishing fleets frequently face mechanical risks due to the demanding nature of long voyages. Patchy cellular coverage across the ocean makes it incredibly difficult for stranded crews to immediately signal for emergency assistance.
