Mangalore: India has 1750kms. long strech of sea coast on either sides with half-d-dozen states on coastal belton the east and western sides. Fishermen going to sea have to be alert as eyes and ears of the state in coastal security, said Commander Tushar Sockey in his campaign held at Mangalore on Tuesday, July 26. One has to watch out for terrorists and pirates on our coasts, just as we watch out foreign vessels fishing in Indian waters and seize them. Anything unusual like someone photographing at sea transferring people from a ship to a boat using torch signals and acting suspiciously, buying boats or renting them on huge payments on money, should be reported to the coastal guards at sea, with toll-free number 1093 or any other similar contact number, he urged.
Sockey demonstrated that how to use life buoys or jackets and asked fishermen to install “Distress Alert” transmitters (DAT) in their fishing boats to survive emergency situations. Yatish B. of Panambur Beach Development Association asked how long it takes to respond, if fishermen fax complaints.