The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has warned fishermen against carrying more number of people in fishing boats than permitted and also operating them without valid documents. The ICG said its ships on patrol have been noticing that several fishing boats are operating without valid documents and most of the fishermen do not possess the identity cards given to them by the authorities. It is also found out that these boats are carrying more number of people than permitted, the release said. “It shows that boat owners and crew members have been insensitive towards following rules and regulations despite the ICG and the district administration holding several rounds of awareness programmes. Adherence to the security and safety norms is the minimum the fishermen can do,” the release said. Carrying excess manpower and crew than allowed is violation of fishing license conditions and punishable under the law. Maximum boats in Uttara Kannada district have been found carrying double the manpower than permitted. Seriousness about rules at sea among boat owners and fishermen need to be asserted by all means and they should contribute to the security of the country by informing Coast Guard if any wrong or anti-social element or a foreign boat or crew is sighted at sea.
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