The Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has developed an indigenous technological solution for fishermen at sea to send emergency messages from fishing boats. The second-generation Distress Alert Transmitter (DAT-SG) is an upgrade on DATs that have been operational since 2010.
The distress messages are sent through a communication satellite and received at a central control station, where the alert signals are decoded for the boat’s identity and location. The extracted information is forwarded to the Indian Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres which coordinate the search and rescue operations. Isro said the improvised solution incorporated technological developments in satellite communication and navigation.