Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon confirmed the rescue operations on Tuesday afternoon (September 29, 2026). The fishing vessel, named FV Rifat, had departed Teknaf on September 25 with 13 crew members. On Monday afternoon at around 4:00 PM, while returning toward Teknaf harbor following a fishing expedition, the boat suffered engine failure and drifted into deep offshore waters approximately 12 nautical miles south of Saint Martin's Island. A stranded fisherman contacted the Coast Guard emergency helpline (16111), prompting the immediate deployment of patrolling offshore vessel BCGS Syed Nazrul. Coast Guard personnel located the vessel, provided emergency medical aid and provisions to all crew members, and initiated the formal handover process of the vessel and crew to the vessel owners.