The Fisheries Department has opened a 24×7 control room at its Beypore fisheries station to effectively coordinate the rescue operations for fishermen during the monsoon season. Additional boats required for the operations have already been hired by the department from local boat owners. Special directions As per the special directions issued by the department, the boat owners will be responsible for maintaining an accurate record of all the fishers who go for fishing in their boats. In case of any problem in the sea, they will also be responsible for producing the documents on demand of the Fisheries Department. Colour coding has already been made mandatory for all fishing boats as per the government rules. Also, we have completed the checking of boat owners’ licences in the district, said an officer attached to the Fisheries Department. He said the control room number (0495-2414074) will be functional till the end of monsoon season. The fisheries department has also warned fishermen against venturing into the sea without taking the basic life-saving equipment already provided to all the boat owners. As per the instructions given, the boats will have to ensure the stock of accessories such as lifebuoys, life jackets and Emergency Position Indication Radio beacons (EPIRB) while leaving the coast. Fisheries Department officials confirm that the functioning of Coastal Vigilance Committee too will be strengthened in the district to oversee the boat owners’ and fishermen’s compliance with the safety instructions. For better coordination of rescue operations, arrangements are also in place to seek the support of Coastal Police, Coast Guard and Marine Enforcement, they added.
2016, The Hindu