58-yo fisherman survives 30-hour ordeal at sea by swimming

Mangaluru: A gutsy fisherman survived a 30-hour ordeal at sea after he fell off the fishing boat in the wee hours of January 6.

The fisherman, Joseph (58) a native of Tamil Nadu was part of the 8-member crew on the boat that set sail from Mangaluru on December 31. On January 6, at around 2 am all the crew members were resting when Joseph accidentally fell into the sea.

When the other crew members realised that he was missing they began searching for him. When their efforts at tracing him failed, they informed the matter to the owner of the boat, who in turn intimated the coastal police and Pandeshwar police station personnel.

On January 7, another fishing boat from Kasargod spotted Joseph and rushed to his rescue. He was brought to the shore and taken to a hospital for treatment.

However, it is gathered that Joseph has given a different version of the incident than the one narrated by his crew members. Kasargod police are investigating the case.