‘BSNL to demonstrate sat phones to help fishermen’

With the advent of advanced communication technologies, crew on board sail vessels would be able to send SOS messages during times of distress. 

The crew may also communicate the position of vessels in the sea, weather conditions and the nearest seaport with the help of such a facility, S Lassington Fernando, secretary, Tuticorin Coastal Mechanized Sail Vessel Owners Association, said on Sunday.

Unlike the existing VHF walkie talkie or cell phones, through which the crew on board could be reached only up to 20 nautical miles at sea, the satellite phone could be used to connect the crew from anywhere. 

“Though the satellite phones are expensive, it was a necessity for the crew. A satellite phone costs Rs 98,000, including the cost of its license,” he said.

Around five years ago, the crew got access to ‘Thuraya’ satellite phone service, which was an UAE-based company. However, after terrorists used it for illegal purposes, possession of such phones was termed as illegal.

During Ockhi cyclone in November last year in Kanniyakumari, the lack of satellite phone was felt much as the facility could have saved a few fishermen.

With a fleet of 25 cargo sail vessels, overseas shipments were being made to port destinations, including the Maldives, the Lakshadweep Islands and other destinations in the West coast. 

While thanking the service provider, he demanded the government to provide the satellite phones at a subsidised cost. Already, the vessel operators were burdened with soaring fuel price and subsidy benefits to avail satellite phones could help this industry immensely, he told DT Next.

S Joeboy, a mechanised fishing boat operator, said that many boats were still not equipped with the VHF communication system. Of the 240 mechanised fleet at Thoothukudi fishing harbour, such facility was provided only for operators of registered boats. Intially, a sum of Rs 500 was collected from some operators, he said.

Joint Director of Fisheries, R Amal Xavier, said that a consultative meeting is scheduled in the head office of Fisheries Department in Chennai next week to discuss about the implementation of the satellite phone service.