Call to install distress alert transmitters on boats

** Deputy Director of Fisheries A Kalyanam says to rescue fishermen at times of distress in sea, the fishing boats equipped with such transmitters will help in identifying their locations

** DATs installed in 448 boats in first phase

Kakinada: Fishermen should take all precautionary measures while venturing into the sea and carry with them the life jackets, identity cards, etc., said East Godavari Deputy Director of Fisheries A Kalyanam.

He said distress alert transmitters’ would facilitate the fishermen in trouble to have access through satellite with the Coast Guard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre for their rescue.

It may be recalled here that distress alert transmitters system is in vogue in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu States. The Andhra Pradesh government felt the need of installing Distress Alert Transmitters on mechanised and motored boats post Hudhud cyclone.

According to Fisheries Department sources, each instrument costs Rs 10,900. Of this total amount, the government will provide 90 per cent subsidy and the rest of the amount will be provided through CSR funds.

The Fisheries Department identified 1,948 mechanised and motor boats in the district, which venture into the deep sea. Over the last few months, DATs have been installed in 448 boats in the first phase and 178 more DATs would be installed in the next two weeks.

Explaining the salient features of the distress alert transmitter, the Deputy Director of Fisheries said that the equipment could easily be handled once fitted in a mechanised boat. The warning red button in the equipment should be pressed in case of emergency like fire, sinking of the boat, etc and the Coast Guard, would get the signal and alert the nearest Coast Guard vessel to rush immediately to rescue the fishermen in trouble. As per signal, the location of the boat in danger could be traced, he added. He urged the fishermen to install ISRO's distress alert transmitter (DAT) to enable the Coast Guards to identify and track boats and rescue fishermen in case of exigencies. He said that the distress alert transmitter would be a boon for the fishermen, as the fishing boats equipped with such gadgets would help identify border violation while fishing.

He said while mobile phones will work only up to a distance, the DAT will work even when the fishermen get lost in high seas. Moreover, it does not cost much, he added.

The Deputy Director of Fisheries said the equipment has in-built GPS to give precise position and time of information. “The equipment has been working well and it enables us to rescue fishermen when they get lost in high seas while fishing or during exigencies like flood, fire or medical,” he added.

He appealed to the fishermen to make use of the facilities available to them and also called for creating awareness among the fishermen about the use of the equipment.

He said the master of the boat should press a button of the transmitter and the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) at Chennai would receive the signal. Subsequently, the nearest Coast Guard station would be alerted to launch a rescue operation, he added.

By Anjaneyulu L