Discover the Xin-Hai-Feng: Ratings & Maritime News

In a dramatic maritime rescue, a Chinese dredging vessel, Xin Hai Feng, operating in a sea reclamation project near Colombo, Sri Lanka, came to the aid of two fishermen stranded at sea. The incident unfolded when the captain of the Xin Hai Feng, which is part of the Shanghai Dredging Company and involved in the Colombo Port City project, spotted the fishermen adrift, desperately clinging to an empty diesel drum. The rescue operation took place as high waves, reaching up to 2.0 meters, threatened the safety of the stranded pair. A team from the Port City swiftly mobilized using a barge to navigate the rough waters and reach the two fishermen, Sunil Anthony, aged 64, and Ranjith Igneshes, aged 57. They were rescued at approximately 1:59 PM and immediately transported to the National Hospital via emergency medical services. The fishermen had embarked on their deep-sea fishing journey on July 14, but encountered trouble when their engine failed and the boat struck a reef. Abandoning their vessel, they resorted to swimming towards the shore with the aid of the fuel drum after being adrift for over 48 hours without food or water. This incident highlights the risks faced by fishermen at sea and the critical role of emergency responses in maritime safety.