The Sri Lanka Navy has successfully recovered Fast Attack Craft P 4447, concluding a multi‑stage emergency response that began after the vessel ran into distress during a routine patrol off Angulana on August 15, 2026.

The craft was raised from a depth of about 80 feet on September 11 and subsequently towed to the Colombo Dockyard premises. The Navy described the operation as a landmark achievement, combining professionalism, technical expertise, and coordinated teamwork across its engineering and diving units.

The incident initially triggered a search and rescue phase, during which a joint effort involving the Navy, Air Force, Police, and local fishermen from Angulana led to the rescue of 11 crew members. That phase concluded on September 4 with the recovery of the remains of the vessel’s Second in Command, marking the end of the human recovery effort.

Attention then shifted to the salvage phase, where specialized Navy diving and salvage teams worked against rough seas and hazardous underwater conditions. Strict safety protocols were observed as marine, hull, electrical, and electronic engineering teams deployed specialized equipment and technical know-how to raise the vessel in stages.

The Navy said that the successful salvage was made possible not only by its own divers and engineers but also through the technical support of the Sri Lanka Ports Authority and Colombo Dockyard PLC. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Navy today confirmed the recovery of remains suspected to be those of the officer who went missing following the maritime incident involving Fast Attack Craft P 4447 on August 15.

According to a Navy statement, Naval divers located the craft at a depth of about 80 feet, where visibility was severely limited and confined internal spaces posed significant challenges. The recovery operation was carried out when sea and underwater conditions permitted specialized diving to be conducted safely.

The Navy stated that its primary focus since the incident had been the recovery of the missing officer. While 11 personnel were rescued on the day of the accident with assistance from the Angulana Police and local fishing community, extensive search operations continued across the coastal belt from Panadura through Colombo up to Chilaw. Maritime and aerial resources were also deployed in coordination with the Sri Lanka Air Force and other agencies.

Parallel efforts to locate and salvage the distressed craft were hampered by rough seas and hazardous underwater conditions, which posed risks to diving and salvage teams. Operations proceeded only when conditions allowed safe entry.

The Navy stated that today’s recovery marks the conclusion of the search and recovery phase. Postmortem, identification, and other required procedures will now follow.

An expert panel has been appointed to investigate the incident and determine the factors that led to the loss of the craft and the disappearance of the officer. 

Preliminary accounts from rescued personnel suggesting possible contact with a submerged wreck are among the aspects under examination. No definitive conclusion has yet been drawn, the Navy added. (Newswire)

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