<p>A 16-metre-long yacht with three AK-47 rifles on board and owned by an Australian woman was found off the Raigad coast near Mumbai on Thursday causing a scare, though officials said no terror angle has come to light yet.</p>
<p>The discovery of the weapons on the vessel created a buzz as it came ahead of Dahi Handi and Ganesh festivals, but Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said as of now no terror connection has been found.</p>
<p>A life boat from the yacht was also found on the coast of Bharadkhol in Raigad district, an official said.</p>
<p><img title="A yacht carrying weapons including three AK 47 rifles with ammunition was found off the Raigad coast, on Thursday. Pic/ANI" src="http://images.mid-day.com/images/images/2022/aug/Mystery-boat-off-coast-b_e.jpg" alt="A yacht carrying weapons including three AK 47 rifles with ammunition was found off the Raigad coast, on Thursday. Pic/ANI" width="1280" height="720" /><strong><em>A yacht carrying weapons including three AK 47 rifles with ammunition was found off the Raigad coast, on Thursday. Pic/ANI</em></strong></p>
<p>Fadnavis, who also holds the Home portfolio, informed the state Assembly that the vessel owner was an Australian woman whose husband was its captain.</p>
<p>The yacht was found in a damaged condition off the coast of Harihareshwar-Shrivardhan in Raigad district Thursday morning, Fadnavis informed the House.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The name of the vessel is Lady Han and it is owned by Hana Lordorgan, an Australian woman,&rdquo; he said. Three assault rifles, some rounds of ammunition and documents were found on the yacht, Fadnavis added.</p>
<h2>Distress call</h2>
<p>&ldquo;The woman&rsquo;s husband James Hobert was the captain of the vessel which was going to Europe from Muscat. Around 10 am on June 26, the yacht&rsquo;s engine failed and the sailors called for help,&rdquo; the deputy CM said.</p>
<p>A Korean warship rescued those on board and handed them over to Oman authorities, he said. The vessel could not be towed as the sea was rough, he added.</p>
<p>&ldquo;The Indian Coast Guard said the boat is stranded on the Harihareshwar coast due to the sea undercurrent. Both local police and anti-terrorist squad are investigating and all the police units have been ordered to be alert in view of upcoming festivals,&rdquo; he said.</p>
<h2>&lsquo;Can carry small weapons&rsquo;</h2>
<p>The Coast Guard and central agencies were in constant touch with the state authorities, he added. A Coast Guard official said the weapons found on board the yacht were procured from a Dubai-based Privately Contracted Armed Maritime Security (PCAMS) company. Since a yacht moves slowly, it is permitted to carry small weapons, the official added.</p>
<p>&ldquo;As of now, there is no terror angle. But investigation is going on. We can&rsquo;t rule out any angle as of now. I am just sharing primary information,&rdquo; Fadnavis added. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
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Deputy chief minister says its owners and crew had been rescued but the yacht could not be towed due to the rough sea; so far no terror connection has been found

Maharashtra: Mystery boat off coast of Raigad sparks scare

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Maharashtra: Mystery boat off coast of Raigad sparks scare

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