DAT equipment a boon to fishermen

Kakinada: The Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT) system is a boon to fisher folk who venture into deep sea for fishing. The system on fixing to a fishing vessel will provide assistance in case of fire, capsizing of boat, sudden sickness to crew members at the shortest possible time.

The three button system equipment costing Rs 11,000 will provide the needed assistance from Coast Guard as the system is linked to satellite for the mechanized and motored boats, which venture into deep sea for fishing. The equipment, which saves the fisherfolk from cyclones, depressions and sudden climatic changes in deep sea, is being provided free of cost. While the governmmt bears 90 percent of the cost, the remaining 10 percent will borne by suppliers and manufacturers under CSR activity.

As far as East Godavari is concerned, there are about 5,000 mechanized, motored and traditional craft that venture into sea from Kakinada urban, Kakinada rural, U- Kothapalli, Bhairavapalem, Katrenikona and Odalareveu fishing harbors. The first two categories numbering more than 2,000 venture deep into sea and take three to four days’ time to return after fishing. Often they opt for fishing up to Paradeep in Odisha, more than 300 kilometers away from East Godavari. The traditional craft mainly opts for fishing near the shore.

Fisher folk leader from Uppada in U- Kothapalli mandal Bandana Rambabu said that this equipment will be of immense benefit for the fisher folk and save them from disasters while fishing in deep sea. East Godavari Fisheries Deputy Director (DD) T Kalyanam said that the supply of DAT equipment is being taken up on a phased manner in the district. In the first phase, a total 448 instruments will be handed over to identified beneficiaries on January 8, during the visit of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu to declare open Sagara Sambaralu (beach festival) in Kakinada NTR Beach, the DD revealed.