K.R. Suresh, Commander, Coast Guard, Karnataka, on Monday suggested that the Fisheries Department needs to convince fishermen in boats and vessels to carry distress alert transmitter (DAT) devices with them during fishing, especially during the monsoon. Crisis At a meeting called by Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim to discuss preparations to face monsoon, he said that if the DAT given by the government went out of order, many fishermen did not bother to purchase new ones or did not replace its batteries. But, the DAT came in handy during the times of crises as the devices alerted the Coast Guard. Mr. Suresh said that in the maritime sector, orange colour was recognised as distress colour. Fishermen could fix beacon-like orange lights in their boats and switch them on during crises. It immediately communicated that such boats were in a crisis. It would help the Coast Guard or merchant vessels to go to their rescue. He said that fishermen could also keep torch lights beaming orange colour and flash them during crises seeking help.
2016, The Hindu