Kollam(Kerala) | Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Wednesday said the search for one of the three fishermen missing in separate boat mishaps off the state's coast since July 31, has been intensified with a Coast Guard helicopter setting up a new base close to the search area.

Gautam Krishna had gone missing following a boat mishap at Neendakara in Kollam, in which his father and grandfather died.

In a Facebook post, Gopi, the Union Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural gas and Tourism, said the helicopter taking part in the search operation will use the Amritanandamayi College of Engineering grounds as its base and shared a video of the aircraft landing there.

He further said that full support of the central government, the Navy and Coast Guard have been ensured for the rescue operation.

In addition to that, the Marine Enforcement and local fishermen were also working tirelessly to search for the missing fishermen and all their services, including that of the Coast Guard, were invaluable, he said.

"Let us pray together for Gautham Krishna. Standing firmly with the family," he said in his post.

The minister had on Sunday said that an emergency helipad was being prepared with the cooperation of the Amritanandamayi College authorities to facilitate the search operation.

On Wednesday, an official of the Amritanandamayi College of Engineering told a TV channel that as soon as they were approached for building a helipad on the college grounds they gave their assent and it was built overnight.

He said that with a fuel tanker also stationed near the helipad, the helicopter can quickly refuel and join the search.

Besides Krishna, two other fishermen -- John and Shijin -- went missing on July 31 in separate boat mishaps at Vizhinjam and Muthalappozhi, respectively, in Thiruvananthapuram district.

All three of them are yet to be found with the search operation for them entering the 13th day