Maiden M-SAR workshop hails stakeholders in keeping Karnataka coast safe

MANGALURU: The maiden state-level maritime search and rescue (M-SAR) workshop organised by Coast Guard district headquarters (CGDHQ) 3, Panambur on Wednesday hailed the stakeholders for keeping coast of Karnataka safe for seafarers. The half-day event saw officials of the department of fisheries from the three coastal districts, Coastal Security Police, revenue, customs, fire and emergency services and most importantly fishermen representatives participate.
DIG S S Dasila, commander, Coast Guard, Karnataka referring to SAR data for CGDHQ 3 since 2000 up to November 13 said the unit has saved 828 lives in this period, or an average of one life every week in the 200 SAR missions undertaken.This is a major ask in that the SAR area under National Maritime SAR Coordinating Authority headed by the DG, Indian Coast Guard is 4.6 million square miles and DHQ3 too has its task cut out.
The fishermen become the most powerful asset for Indian Coast Guard in that they are the eyes and ears, not just for coastal security mechanism, but also for keeping the coast safe, he said. Incidentally, the theme of the workshop was ‘Meenugararu Namma Snehitaru’ (Fishermen are Our Friends) and presence of fishermen leader from Bhatkal, Karwar, Kumta with their respective officials from the department of fisheries only reinforced this feeling.
Yadav Mallajja Moger, fisherman leader from Karwar told TOI that workshop beside giving an insight into work carried out by Indian Coast Guard also is a useful medium for fishing folk to bond with authorities. “While I don’t venture out to fishing directly, the information that our brethren relay from out at Sea is passed on to the department as well as the law enforcing agencies, Coast Guard included for the well-being of all,” he said.
The sessions as part of the workshop touched on air search and rescue operations, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, coastal security issues related to safety of fishermen, search and rescue operation by fishing vessels, search and rescue capabilities of Coast Guard, Indian Maritime search and rescue ship reporting system, and Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT) of Indian National Centre For Ocean Information Services (INCOIS).