Govt Releases Photos Of 3 Fishermen Who Were Rescued After Disappearing In The Ocean For 22 Days

• Baraka, Brian and Fahadhi returned to Kenya after 22 days of agony in the horrifying waters of the Indian Ocean
• The men had embarked on a deep-sea fishing expedition on November 30 when heavy currents in the ocean dislocated their vessel
• To rescue them would be Chinese fishermen on a vessel; the rescuers coordinated with the Kenya Coast Guard Services operatives who initiated their return to Kenya

Kilifi - The families of three men who went missing after their vessel capsized in the Indian Ocean can now breathe a sigh of relief after the trio returned home after 22 days on the high seas.

They had embarked on a deep-sea fishing expedition on November 30 when their vessel, labelled Jodari, got carried away by currents.

One of them drowned in the midst of the storm, according to the Kenya Coast Guard Services (KCGS).

Acting on leads from the men's kin, KCGS immediately began the efforts to locate them.

"Upon receiving the overdue report, KCGS swiftly activated a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation, which spanned seven days. The families of the missing fishermen were visited, and assurances of their safe return were provided. Collaborative efforts with various stakeholders intensified throughout the SAR period," said the agency.

The agency established that the fishermen's vessel was swept by the water currents, leading to their loss of bearing.

Home at last

A Chinese vessel had rescued them, aiding the KCGS's efforts to trace them 475 kilometres from the Mombasa Port.

The Kenyan authorities would then deploy a vessel to fetch the surviving trio and reunite them with their families and friends.

The crew caught up with the rescuers before returning with the men; the ship sent to collect them docked at the Kenyan coast on Thursday, December 29.

Coming out was a trio of tired, scared men who had escaped the jaws of death; receiving them were ranking government officials led by Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.

The authorities said the men would be hospitalised and subjected to mental examinations before being released to their families.

Others involved in the rescue mission were the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers, the National Police Service, the County Government of Kilifi, and local Beach Management Units (BMUs).

Unforeseen journey to Sri Lanka

The men had risked being taken to Sri Lanka, where the rescue ship was supposed to dock.

The foreigners' vessel was also on a fishing sojourn when they stumbled on the quartet's capsizing boat.

They would have reunited with their families in February 2024, when the ship is expected to dock in Sri Lanka.

"We found four people in a capsised boat, we have them on board but they will not be repatriated until the vessel docks in Sir Lanka," the rescuers said.

The KCGS operatives reported the men missing on December 13, confirming the surviving trio were with the foreign rescuers.

"KCGS conducted SAR operations and, through Maritime Domain Awareness, confirmed the rescue of three fishermen by a foreign fishing vessel at sea. Sadly, one fisherman lost his life," the agency said.