Proper steps stressed for those going out to sea

TDT | Manama

Taking the proper steps before going out to sea has been stressed, after three individuals were rescued recently when their boat capsised in open water. As reported in yesterday’s TDT, the trio were out on Thursday night last week and after their boat was damaged, were forced to cling on to lifesaving equipment before being saved four hours later.

The quick response of the main operation room, Coast Guard patrols, and Police Aviation helped rescue the individuals. The on-duty officer at the Coast Guard’s headquarters, Captain Mohammed Sater, said that the trio were amateur sailors, who used a boat intended only for coastal areas and not deep waters. Further, their boat’s identification system was turned off and their first-aid equipment was incomplete.

Captain Sater therefore highlighted the importance of installing and turning on a boat’s automatic identification device whenever going out to sea, in addition to registering the destination with the Coast Guard. Meanwhile, Captain Abdulla Isa Al Kawari from Police Aviation revealed that a fully quipped helicopter that was part of the rescue mission used a thermal camera to identify the individuals in the water.

The boat’s owner, 29-year-old Abdulla Al Nazar, said that they went out to fish from Galali and were heading north on Thursday at 4pm. They decided to come back at 6pm, but a strong wave capsised the boat and they were forced into the water clinging on to lifesaving equipment. Al Nazar added that he was able to reach for his phone which was in a bag and called 999.

The waves were strong so they were washed away from their location to the west of Hidd, he added. Al Nazar thanked the Interior Ministry for their efforts and quick response. He also advised sea goers and sailors to put on life jackets whenever they are at sea.