Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (Ltd) is on a move to ensure security to fishing boats and vessels by providing electronic equipment. The Corporation has decided to distribute radio beacon, eco sounder, global positioning system and marine radio to fishermen engaging in deep sea fishing.

While the actual cost of the equipment crosses Rs. 1.5 lakh, the Corporation will distribute the equipment at 75 per cent subsidised rate, said the officials. Safety kits will be distributed to all fishermen who apply for the help before June 16, they added.

The radio beacon in the kit is designed in such a way that when it comes into contact with salt water it gets automatically activated, said the officials. The beacon will help the rescue team to get emergency information when a boat capsizes as the beacon activates automatically when in touch with water and indicate the location of the accident, they added.

Application forms are available at www.keralagov.org and the office of Mathsya Bhavan. The applications have to reach either the office of the Managing Director Mathsya Bhavan or Kerala State Coastal Area Development Corporation (Ltd), Thiruvananthapuram.

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