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)