Three of the four fishermen stuck in ocean and who had been missing at sea for more than 22 days were formally received by the government at Mbaraki Wharf in Mombasa on Thursday.
The successful rescue mission, conducted on December 24 in collaboration with a Chinese vessel by the Kenya Coast Guard Services, led to their retrieval.
Salim Mvurya, the Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy, and Maritime Affairs, together with Bruno Shioso, Director-General of the Kenya Coast Guard Services, welcomed the three survivors.
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They also commended the maritime security forces for their unwavering efforts in the rescue operation to retrieve the fishermen stuck in ocean. However, unfortunately, one fisherman is believed to have drowned and remains still missing.
Confirming the reception of the rescued fishermen, Mvurya stated that efforts are ongoing to locate the missing individual. He praised the maritime security forces for their dedication, emphasizing that investigations into the incident have been initiated by the government.
The visibly traumatized fishermen, upon arrival, received immediate medical attention and counseling from Kenya Red Cross officers before being transported to the hospital for further care and monitoring, awaiting reunion with their families.
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Mvurya urged the media to allow the survivors time to recover before conducting interviews, emphasizing the importance of proper treatment and counseling for them to process the traumatic experience.
Highlighting the fishermen’s voyage, Shioso detailed the distress call received on November 30, initiating a challenging seven-day search and rescue operation. The news of their rescue by a Chinese vessel on December 24 was confirmed on December 25, leading to their subsequent recovery by the KCGS Doria flagship vessel on December 26, along with salvaging one outboard engine.
Shioso emphasized the need for additional rescue vessels to enhance the effectiveness of such operations and enforcement along Kenya’s coastal zones.
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Other leaders present at the reception of the fishermen include Mombasa County Commissioner Abdirasak Jaldesa, Hamisi Mwaguya (Chair of Kenya Maritime Authority’s board), and Engineer Martin Dzombo (Director General).