Fishermen demand stationing of ‘Sea Ambulance’ in Thoothukudi

District Collector Vishu Mahajan addressing fishermen at the grievance redress meeting in Thoothukudi Collectorate on Friday. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement The Tamil Nadu Government should station ‘Sea Ambulance’ in this coastal town to search and rescue the fishermen in distress on high seas or battling life with sudden ailment or injury, the fishermen have appealed to the government.Raising this issue in the fishermen grievances redressal meeting held at the Collectorate here on Friday, the fishermen said the district houses more than 500 mechanised boats including 260 mechanised boats involved in multi-day deep sea stay fishing and as many boats going for fishing from the Thoothukudi Fishing Harbour and return to the base in the night everyday. Moreover, the district has over 2,000 country boats as well.Even though the fishermen of these boats are carrying communication gadgets while going for fishing to alert others – either boats in the vicinity or their contacts on shore - for help in case of distress on sea, medical help during the ‘golden hours’ could not be ensured due to lack of ‘Sea Ambulance’.Hence, the Tamil Nadu Government should immediately deploy ‘Sea Ambulance’ in Thoothukudi with live-saving equipments and medicines, well-trained staff and communication devices to render medical assistance to the fishermen in the right time.Accepting the fishermen’s genuine demand, District Collector Vishu Mahajan, who was chairing the meeting, assured the participants of taking-up this appeal with the Tamil Nadu Government immediately.Another major demand from the fishermen was the construction of groyne in the coastal hamlets to protect the boats from violent tides and the permanent structures on shores from the menacingly advancing sea.Even though the previous DMK regime led by M.K. Stalin announced in 2022 that groyne and fishing harbour with all modern facilities would be built at Tharuvaikulam by upgrading the existing fish landing centre, the base for more than 250 mechanised boats involved in deep sea fishing is still waiting for these facilities with no visible progress in the proposal.Sources in the Department of Fisheries said the Coastal Regulatory Zone clearance from the State Government is awaited.The Collector also promised the fishermen to bring it to the government’s notice.The fishermen’s demand for operation of more number of ‘Vetri Payanam’ free buses via coastal hamlets, improved drinking water supply, installation of CCTV cameras to curb crimes, launching of mobile diesel tankers to supply fuel to boats, removal of sand dunes obstructing the country boats’ operation in Manappaadu village, upgrading Periyathaazhai into town panchayat etc. also received positive reply from Mr. Vishu Mahajan.Joint Director of Fisheries Ilamvazhuthi and Assistant Director of Fisheries G.A. Bushra Shabhnam participated in the meeting. Published - November 06, 2026 08:09 pm IST