An official displays a disaster alert transmitter at a recent event in Paradip. Telegraph picture

Paradip, Nov. 20: The exercise to install disaster alert transmitters (DAT) in seagoing fishing vessels has failed to make much headway with more than 1,300 trawlers still lacking the device that helps tide over mid-sea distress and exigencies.

Even though the free transmitter installation scheme was set in motion in 2010, hardly 198 vessels have been equipped with these gadgets developed by India Space Research Organisation.

The foolproof gadget having round-the-clock satellite linkage is intended to act as saviour for the seagoing fishermen community at the hour of distress as crew members can easily send emergency message to maritime rescue coordination centre, said a coast guard official.

“The transmitters would come in handy for crew members in time of crisis. Besides, it would strengthen the coastal security mechanism as fishermen and crewmembers of sea-worthy vessels are important components to keep tab on subversive elements. The transmitters could easily alert the coastal security agencies on sea pirates or suspiciously moving vessels. Apart from strengthening coastal security, it would ensure the safety of crew members in danger or threat,” said commandant of Paradip coast guard S.K. Nath.

In seaside pockets of Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur, including Paradip fishing hub, 1,510 seaworthy vessels are in operation with permit obtained from the state marine fisheries department. Of these, 545 are deep-sea trawlers, while 955 are less-improvised motorised fishing vessels.

The department, in coordination with Paradip coast guard, has so far distributed 198 DATs. More than 1,300 vessels are yet to be covered under the transmitter safety ring, said Paradip marine fisheries officer Ranjit Keshari Dash. The fisheries department had received a grant of over Rs 66 lakh from the Union agriculture ministry for installation of transmitters in fishing vessels.

“We are yet to receive the DATs. We expect that the DATs would be dispatched within a month. For factors beyond our control, there has been delay in the distribution of these gadgets. We are hopeful that all the fishing vessels would have DAT at their disposal by the end of the year,” Das said.

However, as most crewmembers lack operational knowledge about DAT, reports of gadget malfunction are already being reported from vessels equipped with the facility.