Tanzanian fishermen who were rescued after their boat capsized in the Indian Ocen have been quarantined in Kilifi County.
The seven fishermen were saved by Kenya Coast guards who responded to their distress call near Mtwapa after their vessel broke down.
Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) Director-General George Okong’o said the fishermen who were sailing on Tanzanian registered boat, FV Haina Hollo, were taken to the isolation centre in Kilifi County.
“The vessel had departed Tanga for Pemba on June 2 with a cargo of 700 logs of eucalyptus when she was overcome by strong winds, got swamped and heavily listed with loss of propulsion power,” said Mr Okong’o.
WEAK, EXHAUSTED
The KMA boss said that when the fishermen were rescued by coast guards, they were weak and tired.
“KMA has notified the Tanzanian Maritime Authority, as well as the consulate in Mombasa of the incident and they, are in contact with the vessel owner,” said Mr. Okong’o.
KMA recently held maritime safety and compliance campaigns in Kilifi, Mombasa, Homa Bay and Siaya counties.
Further, the authority continues to inform and guide vessel owners and operators on weather and sea conditions as well as on navigational safety precautions through different mariners’ notices.
