Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram): Recognising the fishing community as a vital force in safeguarding the Islands’ vast maritime frontiers, the Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (A&N) has stepped up its outreach to fishermen, with a focus on strengthening maritime safety, search and rescue preparedness and coastal security.
The interaction, organised recently by the Indian Coast Guard Regional Headquarters (A&N), Sri Vijaya Puram, under the aegis of Headquarters Andaman and Nicobar Command, brought together owners and masters of fishing boats, representatives of the Department of Fisheries and members of the fishing community.
The programme focused on enhancing coordination and cooperation between security agencies and the fishing community, while sensitising fishermen to the challenges encountered during Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
Special emphasis was laid on the consequences of the inadvertent activation of Distress Alert Transmitters (DATs), which can trigger unnecessary search and rescue responses and divert valuable resources during emergencies.
As part of the initiative, Safety Guidebooks were distributed among members of the fishing community. Published in Bengali, Tamil, Telugu and English, the guidebooks are designed to serve as a ready reference on essential safety practices and precautions to be followed while operating at sea. The interaction also underscored the crucial role of fishermen in strengthening the coastal security mechanism of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Fishermen were encouraged to remain vigilant while at sea and promptly report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
With their constant presence across the Islands’ vast maritime expanse, the fishing community was described as the vital “Eyes and Ears” of the security agencies, capable of playing a significant role in strengthening surveillance, improving information flow and reinforcing the coastal security network.
